Responsible Shipping for Sustainable Development : Adoption and Performance Value

Responsible shipping attracts growing attention in shipping industry, but a systematic analysis of its concept is scanty. Different stakeholders ranging from shippers and carriers to government and non-government associations have expressed worries and expectations about responsible consumption and production in shipping industry. This paper aims to advance the knowledge by exploring the occurrence, nature, extent, and performance value of responsible shipping practices. Using the concept analysis approach, we first construct a two-folder conceptual framework with strategic folder and practical folder considering the dual-role of shipping industry in servicing interntional trade activities. Accordingly, we carry out a two-way interpretation of responsible shipping in five dimensions (economic, environmental, social, resource, technological) at the strategic folder and three processes (design, operations, governance) at the practical folder. To examine the extent and performance value of responsible shipping, we develop propositions concerning its elements as well as the adoption conditions and performance value. The framework provides insights to guide managers in shipping industry to design, plan, and implement responsible practices to meet the escalating public expectations for shipping operations in servicing the global supply chain