Proceedings of ICLT 2025
BUSINESS MODEL TRANSITION OF MARITIME AUTONOMOUS SURFACE SHIPS: NICHE INNOVATION OSCILLATING BETWEEN INSTITUTIONAL PRESSURE AND RESOURCE DEPENDENCE
Chung-Shan Yang
Department of Aviation and Maritime Transportation Management, Chang Jung Christian University, Taiwan
International Conference on Logistics & Transport 2025, Tokyo, Japan, pp. 51-70
Abstract
Purpose: This study investigates the transformation of business models in the maritime industry through the lens of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS). It aims to explore how the interplay of institutional pressures and resource dependence influences firms’ innovation orientation and acceptance of autonomous technologies, framing MASS as a niche innovation reshaping the maritime logistics ecosystem. Design/methodology/approach: Grounded in Institutional Theory and Resource Dependence Theory, this study conceptualizes the transition toward MASS as a function of both institutional and resource-driven dynamics. Data were collected from senior executives in Taiwan’s maritime logistics sector. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were employed to empirically validate the proposed theoretical framework. Findings: The results show that institutional pressures—such as regulatory mandates, safety compliance, and stakeholder expectations—positively influence both firms' resource configurations and their orientation toward innovation. These pressures are also directly associated with more favorable attitudes toward MASS adoption. Conversely, while resource dependence promotes innovation, it also contributes to negative attitudes toward MASS, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises. Niche innovations, including digitalization, automation, and blockchain, were found to enhance support for autonomous shipping. Practical implications (if applicable): The findings provide actionable insights for maritime policymakers, technology developers, and shipping firms. Understanding how institutional and resource-related factors jointly shape innovation adoption can guide more effective policy designs and strategic investments that facilitate a just transition toward autonomous shipping, particularly for resource-constrained firms. Originality/value: This study contributes to the growing literature on business model transformation and maritime innovation by conceptualizing MASS as a niche innovation influenced by institutional-resource tensions. It offers novel empirical evidence on how such tensions shape attitudes toward autonomy, advancing theoretical understanding of adaptive capacity and innovation diffusion in the maritime sector.
Keywords
Institutional pressure; Resource dependence; Niche innovations; Attitudes toward the Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS)
Citation
Chung-Shan Yang (2025). BUSINESS MODEL TRANSITION OF MARITIME AUTONOMOUS SURFACE SHIPS: NICHE INNOVATION OSCILLATING BETWEEN INSTITUTIONAL PRESSURE AND RESOURCE DEPENDENCE. Proceedings of the International Conference on Logistics & Transport (ICLT 2025), Tokyo, Japan, pp. 51-70.