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Evaluating Vietnamese seafarer’s competence: an empirical research from a multi-criteria approach

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Abstract

This research aims at assessing the competence of Vietnamese seafarers who work on international merchant vessels. We use a multi-criteria approach to develop a conceptual framework for evaluating seafarer’s competence with three main criteria groups (i.e., professional capacity, interpersonal skills, and working attitude) and 10 sub-criteria. We then apply this framework to assess the competence of Vietnamese seafarers based on an empirical research conducted in Hai Phong city. Data was collected through a survey of 96 valid respondents from three main stakeholder groups, i.e. shipping companies, training centers, and experienced seafarers. Statistical analysis was carried out to validate the proposed framework and to define the strength and weaknesses of Vietnamese seafarers. We also define the difference among stakeholder groups’ opinions, pointing out the gap in competence expectation between the industry and the seafarers themselves. Recommendations for improving Vietnamese seafarer’s competence were given accordingly, followed by the discussion of the academic and managerial implications and the limitations of the paper.

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Acknowledgements

We particularly thank Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Phuong, Ms. Vu Thi Thoa, and Ms. Le Thi Thuy Duong for their assistance to this research.

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Correspondence to Lam Canh Nguyen.

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Appendix 1. Model fit summary

Appendix 1. Model fit summary

CMIN

Model

NPAR

CMIN

DF

P

CMIN/DF

Default model

23

71.539

32

.000

2.236

Saturated model

55

.000

0

  

Independence model

10

691.062

45

.000

15.357

RMR, GFI

Model

RMR

GFI

AGFI

PGFI

Default model

.031

.875

.786

.509

Saturated model

.000

1.000

  

Independence model

.328

.260

.095

.213

Baseline Comparisons

Model

NFI

Delta1

RFI

rho1

IFI

Delta2

TLI

rho2

CFI

Default model

.896

.854

.940

.914

.939

Saturated model

1.000

 

1.000

 

1.000

Independence model

.000

.000

.000

.000

.000

Parsimony-Adjusted Measures

Model

PRATIO

PNFI

PCFI

Default model

.711

.637

.668

Saturated model

.000

.000

.000

Independence model

1.000

.000

.000

NCP

Model

NCP

LO 90

HI 90

Default model

39.539

18.793

68.011

Saturated model

.000

.000

.000

Independence model

646.062

564.675

734.877

FMIN

Model

FMIN

F0

LO 90

HI 90

Default model

.753

.416

.198

.716

Saturated model

.000

.000

.000

.000

Independence model

7.274

6.801

5.944

7.736

RMSEA

Model

RMSEA

LO 90

HI 90

PCLOSE

Default model

.114

.079

.150

.003

Independence model

.389

.363

.415

.000

AIC

Model

AIC

BCC

BIC

CAIC

Default model

117.539

123.562

176.519

199.519

Saturated model

110.000

124.405

251.039

306.039

Independence model

711.062

713.681

736.706

746.706

ECVI

Model

ECVI

LO 90

HI 90

MECVI

Default model

1.237

1.019

1.537

1.301

Saturated model

1.158

1.158

1.158

1.310

Independence model

7.485

6.628

8.420

7.512

HOELTER

Model

HOELTER

.05

HOELTER

.01

Default model

62

72

Independence model

9

10

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Nguyen, L.C., Dinh, G.H. & Pham, V.T. Evaluating Vietnamese seafarer’s competence: an empirical research from a multi-criteria approach. WMU J Marit Affairs 20, 413–433 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13437-021-00249-9

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