A Study on the Obstacles and Adoption of Electronic Maritime Freight Booking System

Abstract

The objectives of this research were: 1) to study the factors influencing the choice of using ship reservation services via the electronic system by sea freight carriers; 2) to examine the challenges encountered in using ship reservation services via the electronic system by sea freight carriers; and 3) to propose guidelines for improving the effectiveness of ship reservation services via the electronic system by sea freight carriers. This was a mixed-methods research study. Data collection was conducted using a questionnaire from a sample group of 340 sea freight exporters using containers and interviews with 5 key informants. The statistical methods applied in the analysis included multiple linear regression analysis with statistical significance set at the .05 level, as well as descriptive analytics. The results of the study found that: 1) both the perception of ease of use and external environment factors influence the selection of ship reservation services via the electronic system at the .01 level, with the work environment (Beta = .581) being the most influential factor, followed by the perceived ease of use (Beta = .441); 2) the challenges of using ship reservation services via the electronic system include system instability, unfamiliarity due to each shipping line implementing different systems, and delays in reservation responses; and 3) guidelines for improving the ship reservation services via the electronic system by sea freight carriers contain two key aspects: personnel and the electronic system.