Environmental Issues in the Maritime and Logistics Field - Research Proposal Example

Business Research (JNB331) (Assignment3 ) Abstract We live in a world characterized by technological advancements and scientific innovations of all kinds. Even though these advancements have been liberal in amazing ways, the fact that they come with their own disadvantages should not be overlooked. One of the key issues that have been controversial with these innovations is the fact of environmental degradation. The cases of environmental degradation have become pronounced in the world today leading to massive campaigns for environmental conservation. There are many environmental concerns that come into play in the maritime and logistics industry. These concerns cannot be overlooked especially in the current world that is continuously becoming sensitive to the looming destruction and environmental degradation. This makes the industry very volatile and requiring a lot of keenness in its designs, innovations and policy formulation so that is specifically equipped properly to deal with these challenges (Khee-Jin 2006). This research proposal hereby seeks to examine some of these environmental issues in the maritime and logistics field. It examines how the effects of the issues, how they are caused and what can be done to control the whole situation. The paper thus proposes a research design that can be used to obtain relevant data for analysis and proving of the hypotheses and answering of the research questions. Table of contents Abstract ……………………………………………………………………………………i Table of Contents………………………………………………………………………….ii 1.0 Background for the research…………………………………………………..……….1 2.0 Research aims and questions……………………………………………………..……1 3.0 Overview of the literature……………………………………………………….……..2 4.0 Research Methodology…………………………………………………………..…….3 4.1 Research questions…….………………………………………………………….……4 4.2 Research Philosophy………………………………………………………….………..4 4.3 Available Methodologies for Research……………………………………..…………5 4.4 Mixed Methods………………………………………………………………………..7 4.5 Study Design……………………………………………………………………….….8 4.6 Research instruments…………………………………………………………………..8 4.6.1 Survey Design…………………………………………………………………..……9 4.7.1 Sampling…………………………………………………………………………….10 4.7.2 Data Collection Procedure………………………………………………………….10 4.7.3 Data Analysis Procedure……………………………………………………..……..11 4.7.4 Pilot Test………………………………………………………………………..…..11 4.7.6 Validity and reliability……………………………………………….……………..11 5.0 Expected outcomes and contributions…………………………………….………….12 6.0 Limitations of the research……………………………………………………………12 7.0 Project Timetable………………………………………………………………….….13 8.0 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………….14 Reference List………………..……………………………………………………………15 1.0 Background for the research The looming climate change has come to the attention of the whole word. Some of its consequences have been so severe to the extend of causing complicated diseases (like skin cancer) and at times claiming people’s lives. With all these challenges, environmental conservation has become the world’s priority under the spirit sustainable development. Pollution of the aquatic habitat is the main environmental issue in the maritime world. This pollution occurs in a number of ways. For instance, through paints and solvents used in ships hull and oil spills from oil tankers during accident (Hamel 2000). Some of the deadly oil spills reported include the Kuwaiti oil spill in January 1991, the Gulf War oil spill in January 1991, the Deepwater horizon spills in 2010, the Ixtoc I spill in 1979, the Fergana Valley spills in 1992, the Amoco Cadiz spills 1978, the MT Haven spill in 1991, among others. These oil spills have been dreadful. For instance, the San Francisco Bay oil spill in 2007 caused death of thousands of surf scoter birds. It was reported that less than 1% of all the birds that soaked in water survived. These are shocking statistics. Another dreadful aftermath of these spills is the death of aquatic life. Human beings living close to oceans and sea are also affected. A good example is the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill that occurred in the Gulf of Mexico that killed up to 11 people. Another equally serious environmental issue in the maritime and logistic field is air pollution. In the article, Leading the revolution, Hamel (2000) states that air pollution has become more pronounced in the marine industry. The pollution is contributed by factors such as emissions from ships engines. Just like oil spill, air pollution in the marine industry has its own consequences like contributing to global warming. 2.0 Research aims and questions From the information above, maritime and logistics field is indeed a key area that equally contributes to the general state of the environment. The industry has come under sharp criticism for its increased cases of environmental pollution that great contribution to the global environmental degradation (Cooksey 1997). With these criticisms, the industry has received a lot of international attention with every state required to account for its maritime industry. The research therefore studies some of these issues of environment that have made the industry become a global concern (Eriksson & Kovalainen 2008). The research also aims at answering the research questions as well as proving the research hypotheses. The research questions are; 1. What are the major environmental issues in the maritime industry? 2. What are the main causes of these issues? 3. How can these issues of the environmental in the maritime industry be addressed so as to bring the situation under control? Upon answering the above research questions, a conclusion could be made on the real situation as it exists in the industry both from its cause, its effects and its control measures. From the research, recommendations on how to make the industry environmentally friendly can also be made taking into account the internal and external factors contributing to the dilemma (Young 1996). Another factor to be considered is the importance of the industry and the effects of the recommendations to the smooth running of the industry. 3.0 Overview of the literature Maritime industry is one area that has been hit both positively and negatively with scientific innovations. The negativity of the innovations’ impact has resulted into serious environment issues. There are dangerous accidents whose effects live on for a long time. The 2009 Montara oil spill in the Timor Sea is a good example of some of the world’s most dreadful oil spills. However, oil spills do not necessarily occur from tanker accidents. Leakage of ship fuel and disposal of waste fuel causes oil spills that are equally dangerous. These dreadful spills take months or even years to clean. This implies that not until all the oil is cleaned, aquatic life in that particular area is threatened. The thick layer oil covers a large surface of water preventing entry of air that is vital for aquatic, resulting into suffocation of marine creatures hence the imbalance of the ecosystem. Marine plants also suffer lack of sunlight for photosynthesis. The thick layer of oil does not allow enough sunlight to penetrate through. On the other hand, other animals that are exposed to this oil suffer the effects. Collis & Hussy (2009) states that some oil spills such as the Exxon Valdez oil spill reported to kill up to nine people who succumbed to the effects of the oil. San Francisco Bay spill killed thousands of surf scoter birds. All birds soaked died because of the effects of the oil on their kidneys, liver and skin. Only 1% of the birds survived courtesy of human intervention. In his article; Vessel-Source Marine Pollution: The Law and Politics of International Regulation, Khee-Jin (2006) states that another crucial environmental issue related to oil spill is air pollution. Some methods of cleaning up the spilled oil such as controlled burning may cause serious cases of air pollution. The process implies that the spilled oil is directly burnt into the air. The fumes from the burning cause air pollution and when done often or in large scale, may have severe effects on the ozone layer (cause global warming). In addition, people living close to oceans and seas may suffer from the fumes especially when the process is done on a windy day. The pollution may also result from engine fumes from sea vessels (Joubish 2009). Another serious environmental issue as per the overview of the literature is the pollution caused by the ballast water. Khee-Jin (2006) states that this is the sea water pumped into the hull compartments to help the vessel stabilize and balance when it is unloading the cargo. This water is always pumped out of the compartments during loading of the vessel. The dangers of this practice arise when this water is pumped out of the vessels back into the sea. This water in most cases is contaminated and carries the same effect into the sea water. It can also spread diseases like in human pathogens and toxins capable of causing human and marine health complications (Daly, Speedy & Jackson 2004). The paints and solvents used in ship’s hull also have the same effect to the sea water and subsequently to the marine life. 4.0 Research Methodology Collection of data is very vital for this research. It is this collected data that the conclusion and the recommendations will be made. As such, collection, sampling and analyzing of data should be done methodically and with great keenness (Gill & Johnson 2002). The research should also have the right research design for this exercise. Because of this, the methodology for this research consists of the following sections: (a) An explanation of the quantitative and qualitative methods chosen for the study; (b) a discussion of all the details of study design, including survey design, other constructs and instruments for data collection, and decision rules, and threats to validity and protects against such threats. Thus, the chapter moves from the general to the specific, and concludes by setting the stage for the data presentation and analysis in the next chapter. 4.1 Research questions The research aims at answering the research questions as well as proving the research hypotheses. From the background information and literature reviews, the research questions are; 1. What are the major environmental issues in the maritime industry? 2. What are the main causes of these issues? 3. How can these issues of the environmental in the maritime industry be addressed so as to bring the situation under control? Upon answering the above research questions, a conclusion could be made on the real situation as it exists in the industry both from its cause, its effects and its control measures. 4.2 Research Philosophy This research falls under two groups namely the positivist research or the phenomenological research. According to Newton (2006, p.27), these two philosophies have been explained in different aspects which are tabled as follow: Table 1: phenomenological approach Positivist paradigm Phenomenological paradigm Basic beliefs World is objective and external World is subjective and socially constructed Observer is independent Observer forms part of what is observed Science has no values Science is based on human values Researcher’s function Focusing on facts To focus on meanings Look for basic laws and causality Make an attempt to understand events Reduce whole phenomenon to simple laws Analyze each situation in its totality Formulate testable hypothesis Use induction to develop ideas from data Methods used Use large samples Use small samples and investigate them over time Uses a unnatural setting e.g. a laboratory Uses a natural setting Source: Newton (2006, p. 27). Based on the differentiation in the table above, this study uses a phenomenological approach based on the following facts: The research study is done in a natural setting as opposed to a laboratory setting. The study collects qualitative data through which induction is performed to come up with ideas. The researcher is actively implicated in the data collection process. 4.3 Available Methodologies for Research There are two commonly accepted approaches to this research; the qualitative and the quantitative. There are many ways of distinguishing between these two approaches, which can also overlap or complement each other, as in mixed methods designs. However, the basic difference between these methodologies are described by Henninger (2008) as split into five categories as displayed in the following table. Table 2: Differences between Quantitative and Qualitative Research Philosophical Foundations Qualitative Research Designs Quantitative Research Designs Ontology (perceptions of reality) Researchers assume that multiple, subjectively derived realities can coexist. Researchers assume that a single, objective world exists. Epistemology (roles for the researcher) Researchers commonly assume that they must interact with their studied phenomena. Researchers assume that they are independent from the variables under study. Axiology (researchers’ values) Researchers overly act in a value-laden and biased fashion. Researchers overly act in a value-free and unbiased manner. Rhetoric (language styles) Researchers often use personalized, informal, and context-laden language. Researchers most often use impersonal, formal, and rule-based text. Procedures (as employed in research) Researchers tend to apply induction, multivariate, and multi-process interactions, following context-laden methods. Researchers tend to apply deduction, limited cause-and-effect relationships, with context-free methods. The primary methodology employed by this study is quantitative. Within the quantitative method, there are several specific approaches to research. One approach is referred to as retrospective studies, which is conducted using data that have already been collected about events that have already happened. For instance, the research will be conducted using data on environmental issues in the marine industry already collected. Retrospective studies are common, as researchers work with collected data to look for patterns and confirm theories. Sometimes such studies are described as primary research, as when researchers collect data from experiments; secondary research is the name given to studies that draw upon data that has been collected by someone else (Daly, Speedy, & Jackson 2004). In the absence of secondary data, it is necessary to generate primary data via either of the two quantitative methods, that is, the experiment or the pseudo-experiment. De Vaus argues that the best way to differentiate between these two classes of experiments is through the concept of control. In an experiment, also known as a true experiment, the researcher can “dictate when observations can be made or where and when an independent variable is manipulated within a given group of subjects” (De Vaus 2001, p. 18). Experiments that fail this test are said to be pseudo-experiments. Since the research questions involve asking subjects about their responses to a past event, the appropriate methodological choice for this project is, by definition, the retrospective study (Jankowicz 2000). 4.4 Mixed Methods As this study proposes, mixing qualitative insights from the experimental subjects in addition to quantitative data collected from those subjects, it is necessary to offer a theoretical overview of mixed methods approaches prior to describing how the study design envisions blending the two methods at the level of data analysis. Fink (2006) is one of the many theorists who argue that quantitative and qualitative methods are not necessarily exclusive, but can be complementary in nature, and that is how they are in this study. There are several ways in which this complementarily can be achieved. Fink mentions triangulation of the data set, in which, for example, the findings of a quantitative questionnaire are examined alongside findings from qualitative interviews of the subjects who filled out the questionnaires (Fink 2006). Naturally, there are several ways in which research designs can establish connections between the two methodologies. Cooksey offers an overview of some of the key possibilities, qualitative data collected after quantitative data tried to explain the quantitative results or exploratory and sequential designs that are triangulated or embedded parallel designs that are explanatory (Cooksey 1997). Cooksey typology of mixed methods built upon Fink’s discussion. Fink’s argument is that “quantitative and qualitative methods applied to the same research topic invited the research to compare and contrast the two methods’ analytical outputs”. The way in which any comparison and contrast proceed is determined by aspects of the research design. For example, sequential triangulation designs are specifically intended to explore areas of both convergence and disagreement, whereas an explanatory design takes it for granted that there is convergence between the outputs. Thus, study design and approaches to triangulation are closely linked to each other by the academic literature. To begin with, there is an important distinction between triangulation and embedding. According to Bouma, the difference is as follows: The purpose of triangulation is to merge overall different methods of data collection into one overall interpretation, placing an emphasis on both types of data. In the embedded design approach, one dataset provided support role to the other (Bouma 2004). In order to better to understand the difference between these two approaches, it is necessary to more diligently explore the difference between the concept of an overall, data-merged interpretation and the concept of one form of data providing a support role to the other. Cavana, Delahaye and Sekaran (2001) offer a description of the embedded method in which they argue that the embedded data serve to address a secondary purpose within the larger study. What such a secondary purpose might be depends on the precise nature and design of the embedded study; however, they offer the basic example of a qualitative-dominant study in which descriptive statistics are collected on the demographic characteristics of the study subjects. In this case, the environmental issues in the maritime industry are actually integrated into the main theme of the study. Meanwhile, in sequential triangulated approaches, the process of data gathering is designed to serve a single and integrated research function. The variation of sequential triangulated methods employed by this study is what Gill and Johnson refer to as “sequential exploratory, in which there is no prior hypothesis about how the qualitative data will interact with the quantitative data” (Gill and Johnson 2002, p. 67). All of these points about mixed methods are revisited in the Study Design section of this chapter, under the heading of data analysis procedures. In summary, the methodology employed by this study is quantitative, experimental, and primary, although qualitative data is embedded into the findings. All of these approaches are justified by the research questions and are designed to confirm or confound the hypotheses. With the defense of methodological methods concluded, it is time to describe the study design more closely. 4.5 Study Design Study design consists of many components hence this section is broken into the following sub-headings, each of which corresponds to an aspect of study design: (a) Sampling; (b) survey design; (c) data collection procedure; (d) data analysis procedure; and (e) threats to, and protection of, validity. 4.6 Research instruments This study mainly explores a reliable method and instrument of data collection which is the use of a questionnaire. The use of questionnaires has been acknowledged by many researchers to be a reliable method (Khee-Jin 2006). This is because the questionnaires are developed under the guidance of the research objectives to ensure that the questions constructed are relevant to the study. In addition, they are user friendly, cheap to construct and administer to the research respondents. Veal (2005) ascertains that a well developed questionnaire helps the researcher in generating uniform answers from various respondents. The use of open-ended question also helps the respondents to express their views freely because they don’t get restricted in any way. During the construction of the questionnaire, several efforts are made to connect the questions with literature, to devise and organize the questions in a manner that is easy to use and logical to avoid the inclusion of negative questions. Among the things that the researcher also put in consideration are the weaknesses that can be encountered while using questionnaires. Such weaknesses include: absence of the respondents which may force the researcher to use unintended people in answering the questions, and inability to evaluate complex views and opinions (Kerzner 2006). The developed questionnaire will be taken through various stages aimed at improving its content. The first stage that the questionnaire will be exposed to is the pilot test. In this case, the researcher requests five of his peers to act like respondents and respond to the questions. They are required to identify any problems that can help in improving it. Based on the responses, the questionnaire is revised where sequencing is reviewed and some questions rephrased. 4.6.1 Survey Design The survey will be administered in the online survey program known as Survey Monkey. Here are the questions that respondents will be asked: Table 3: Summary of the constructs defined in the survey Name of Construct Question & Items Scaling Sources Environmental issues in maritime ind. Spector Scale Likert Scale, 1-6 Neelankavil (2007) Causes of the issues Researcher Questions Strongly agree … Strongly disagree (1-5) Likert Scale Joubish (2009) Effects (Physical Health) Researcher Questions Strongly agree … Strongly disagree (1-5) Likert Scale Hamel (2000) Effects (Environmental Health) Researcher Questions Strongly agree … Strongly disagree (1-5) Likert Scale Thomas (2009) Possible remedies Researcher Questions Strongly agree … Strongly disagree (1-5) Likert Scale Young (1996) 3.7 Sampling and Ethical Protections 4.7.1 Sampling In order to obtain precise and reliable data in any given research, it is essential for the researcher to have the correct samples of the respondents. In this research, sampling is done based on the research objectives and because it is only specific information that is sought in this study, the researcher ensures that the instruments used are sent to the specific respondents who have the relevant information that is required. Stratified and simple random sampling procedures are used in selecting the study sample for this research. Stratified random sampling is used to ensure subgroups in the population are proportionally represented while simple random sampling is used to select respondents within the subgroups entirely on the basis of chance (Cavana, Delahaye & Sekaran 2001). As thus, Stratified random sampling is for quantitative data while simple random sampling is for qualitative data. 4.7.2 Data Collection Procedure The data is collected automatically by the Survey Monkey program, which will tabulate all responses to the survey and store them electronically on a server, from which they are downloaded by the researcher. It should be noted that the Survey Monkey program offers chance to the respondents to enter their own insights and input into the process of testing. Qualitative information is collected to triangulate the quantitative data. However, this aspect of data collection is a minor qualitative complement to the main quantitative orientation of the study (Neuman 2006). 4.7.3 Data Analysis Procedure In order to understand the data analysis procedure, it is necessary to revisit the research questions and hypotheses to determine their role in the quantitative model. Data analysis is performed by running statistical tests (e.g., correlation analysis and linear regression analysis) on the data to test the hypotheses (Sekaran 2003). 4.7.4 Pilot Test This is a small scale groundwork that is carried out before the main study to find out the feasibility of the research. It is essential to carry out this test because it allows a preliminary testing of the hypothesis before the major work is done. This helps the researcher to change, drop or even develop new hypothesis. A pilot study also gives the researcher new ideas and thoughts that had not been seen earlier on (Project Management Institute 1997). Hence these ideas increase the chances of obtaining better results in the main study. In addition, the pilot study clears the path for a smooth main study since unanticipated problems are noted and the researcher will be able to redesign parts of the study to overcome problems that are revealed by the pilot study. Therefore, the researcher administers the questionnaires to a few respondents of this study and obtains the feedback which enables the assessment of the feasibility of the study before performing the main study (Blaxter, Hughes &Tight 2006). 4.7.5 Validity and reliability One major threat to validity is that the sample is self-selected. The researcher has no institutional power to compel responses from a representative cross-section of the maritime industry, and is only empowered to conduct research on self-selected subjects. Because the sample has a lower confidence level and higher confidence interval, its results are accordingly weakened. One way to protect against this threat to validity is to attempt to draw a self-selected sample large enough to raise the confidence level while lowering the confidence interval (Collis & Hussy 2009). 5.0 Expected outcomes and contributions The research plan has to provide data that will be used statistically to gather proof of objectives and the hypotheses of the research. The data collected from the questionnaires are expected to highlight some of the environmental issues experienced in the maritime industry. For instance, the information obtained from the methodologies should help me answer what the major environmental issues in the maritime industry are, what their causes are and how the issues can be addressed so as to bring the situation under control. The target respondents include the workers in the industry who are expected to give confessions of the past incidences of environmental pollution, their causes and how the situation was controlled or whichever action that was taken there after (Fink 2003). Ship builders and ship managers are other potential interviewees who may help account for ship accidents that lead to oil spills. Upon conduction of a good research, the expected results are to be positive. This is because the research questions are practical and accountable. The hypotheses of the research are based on factual literature views and previous researches. Similarly, the literature review would give history of the problem as it appeared in different contexts and the previous measures put in place. As such, from the lessons of these measures the research would recommend more effective interventions (Jankowicz 2000). 6.0 Limitations of the research Most, if not all research studies have limitations and in this case, the following are the limitations; 1. Method used to collect data is mostly from secondary source. There are higher chances that the gathered information might be biased and outdated. Some vital information to help answer the research questions might not be made available due to limited research on the topic. Similarly, the study heavily relies on the information collected from these respondents. As such, selfish or biased response may affect the results of the whole project rendering it inaccurate. 2. Due to financial constraint, coupled with limited time, all aspects of environmental degradation in the maritime industry might not be adequately brought to light. 3. The complexity of the whole process of theoretical study brings with it many processes that can lead to some aspects of the topics being forgotten. This I will address by being very careful to ensure that each and every aspect in the research questions and aims are adequately addressed. 4. On the other hand, one limitation of using a descriptive survey research method is that a large descriptive survey may give superficial results. Alternatively, small scale descriptive surveys with an emphasis on “qualitative” or “rich” detail have the limitation of poor generalisability. In such small surveys it is difficult to know how far the results can be applied elsewhere. 5. The research may suffer time constraints. The research requires a longer time period due to time taken to obtain the approval and consent of the relevant parties; this will affect the length of the project and increased the budget. 7.0 Project Timetable The research proposal includes a number of key activities. It is important that each activity of the proposal is done keenly. From the methodology and research design, the main activities of the proposal are highlighted in the table below. Key activities Setting up of the research questions and objectives (this includes deciding on the hypotheses of the expected results). Preparing the relative research instruments. This includes setting up the required mechanisms to facilitate research proposal such as recording materials and so forth. Paying a pre-visit to the sights of the research. This will help in estimating various variables of the proposal for instance the expected budget as well as time scheduling. Revising the research questions and objectives in relation to the pre-visit findings. Carrying out the actual study and collecting data through the various methodologies. The collected data should be sampled and grouped for analysis and testing the hypotheses and answering the research questions. Making conclusions and recommendations based on the research findings in relation to the literature reviews. Recording the research findings for presentation. The research can follow the Gantt chat bellow. The research is spread over six weeks. Each activity is calculated with a minimum of three hours in a day. 8.0 Conclusion Environmental pollution has become a global threat. Its effects have seen policies formulated in which corporate companies, firms and industries are forced to put in place preventive measures to conserve the environment. Maritime industry has not been left behind. Just like other industrial fields, this particular industry has received its own share of environmental issues. However, most of these issues result from human error and can be controlled. Reference List Blaxter, L., Hughes, C &Tight, M. 2006, How to Research, 3rd edn, Open University Press, Berkshire, England. Bouma, G. D. 2004, The Research Process, 5th edn, Oxford University Press, South Melbourne. 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