Role of the institutional theory for implementation information technology to enhance safety management in shipping companies

This paper investigates the role of institutional theory for integrating information technology (IT) within the ship safety management system for enhancing compliance with the International Safety Management (ISM) Code. The importance of this integration is based on the needs of ship management companies for proper management of safety information between the head office ashore and their ships at sea. This paper contributes to the theory and practice of e-management and IT adoption research through providing empirical evidence from different business activities, by highlighting how an e-system for maritime ship safety management can be accepted and institutionalized. Thematically, the empirics of the paper has focused on exploring the role of the regulator in institutionalizing the IT integration process; as the institutional theory and the structurational technology adoption model has reflected a positive impact on investigation and explanation organizational change caused by IT adoption, and the role of resourcing in enhancing this process in the maritime safety. In this regard, this paper is the first to utilize institutional theory and legitimization strategies to explain needs of the IT integration process in shipping companies exclusively. The findings of the research show that external institutions such as governments, regulators and international organizations can play a pivotal role in institutionalizing organizational practices.