An empirical study of the acceptance of electronic chart displays and information systems in the shipping industry

Deck officers' acceptance of, and proficiency in using electronic chart displays and information systems (ECDIS) could enhance navigation safety. This study applied the popular technology acceptance model (TAM) to assess seafarers' acceptance of ECDIS. A survey, in the form of a questionnaire, was conducted to assess deck officers' perceptions of ECDIS. Analysis techniques, a reliability test, a confirmatory factor analysis and a structural equation model were employed to analyse the data. The results suggested that the TAM could be applied to assess deck officers' acceptance of ECDIS. They also indicated that the TAM mediates top management support of users' attitudes to, and behavioural intentions to use ECDIS. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings for ECDIS in a shipping context are discussed herein.