Improve communication quality: a challenge in Greek shipping companies

Abstract

The present paper explores the issue of project communication quality and examines the quality levels of communication in the Greek shipping maritime sector. The research methodology included the review of the existing literature mainly related to project communication; communication in shipping environment and within virtual teams. Moreover, in an effort to determine the factors that inhibit the effectiveness of communication during a shipping project in Greek shipping maritime sector, a survey questionnaire was distributed to a total of 60 Greek shipping companies. Data was collected from 35 shipping companies which represent a fleet size of 744 vessels. Results indicated that several factors were impact communication quality in shipping projects. The majority of these factors seemed to be negatively correlated to information quality and communication channels quality, while the quality levels of communication means and technology used were satisfactory. Through the Pareto analysis tool, the paper focuses on the vital few elements that lead to miscommunication and should be overcome in order to improve communication effectiveness. The paper concludes that lack of trust among project team members, lack or delay of feedback as well the multiculturalism that characterizes the project team, are the main communication barriers for the Greek shipping maritime companies.