APM Terminals is the operationally independent subsidiary of AP Maersk, the largest shipping company in the world. The company was created in the late 1990’s and grew, both organically and through acquisitions, from 12 to nearly 60 terminals worldwide. The industry is historically considered as dangerous and fatalities are considered an unavoidable part of “the cost of doing business”. This case looks at the first part of the 21st century and how the rapidly growing APMT attempts to bring some consistency to the safety procedures of terminals under its management in widely different cultural environments, in an attempt to bring down the number of casualties and serious injuries in the workplace. It shows the decisions that prevented the initiative from reaching the level of success that it was set up to accomplish.
Learning Objective
To understand how an industry or company culture can affect operational issues. To recognize the shortcomings of a gradual approach in some cultural situations.
Keywords
Change Management, Leadership, Safety, Port, Operations, Shipping, Corporate Culture
Settings
World/global, Netherlands
APM Terminals, Logistics and Supply Chain, Shipping
2006-2014
Available Languages
English
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