Understanding the paradigm shift in maritime education: The role of 4th Industrial Revolution technologies: an industry perspective

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the changes that will impact learners and learning in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and provide recommendations for transforming education to meet the needs of the maritime industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the definition of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the changes that have occurred in industry as a result. It looks at key Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies and its impacts on the maritime industry. It then presents some strategies for how the maritime education sector can begin to address the paradigm shifts that will be needed to transform education so as to focus on the advantages that can be derived from the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Findings

Rapid technological advances are transforming the process of education around the world and will continue to disrupt not only the education sector but entire industries – education being only one of them. The maritime sector has some specific technologies that will drive digital transformation of business models. Maritime educational institutions around the world will need to be prepared to respond rapidly to this paradigm change and provide the skilled labour the industry will require to remain competitive.

Research limitations/implications

While the technologies that are impacting the Fourth Industrial Revolution have clearly been identified, the education sector still needs practical applications and integration into curriculum and learning to truly embrace the opportunities for the development of workforce competencies in this new age.

Practical implications

The maritime education sector must now start implementing strategies to expose students to new Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, blockchain and automation technology and how they are changing the future of work. A new shift in the conscious application of these game-changing technologies will be required, and examples of integration are discussed as a starting point for building a long-term plan.

Social implications

The development of the human capital needed in the Fourth Industrial Revolution must begin now, and it presents challenges to those in the maritime education sector. It, therefore, requires that a digital transformation strategy is in place to deliver the specialized skills and new knowledge workers will need in the future.

Originality/value

This paper discusses the disruption that the Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies will bring to maritime education. One of the findings demonstrates that it clear that it is no longer competitive to ignore the disruption that is happening, and action is needed now.

Citation

Simmons, E. and McLean, G. (2020), "Understanding the paradigm shift in maritime education: The role of 4th Industrial Revolution technologies: an industry perspective", Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, Vol. 12 No. 1, pp. 90-97. https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-10-2019-0062