LINKING LEADERSHIP INTEGRITY - DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND STRESS (DAS) AMONG SAILING INDIAN MARINE ENGINEERS DURING COVID-19

Abstract

Modern-day leadership demands competencies to embrace challenges and uncertainties as a part of a working career. Uncertainties bring in many unknown outcomes and a loss of direction to any team. This is much acknowledged when the unknown outcomes are affecting the team spirit and, in turn, organisational sustainability. Leadership integrity is a watershed to handle such uncertainties with positive outcomes. Like in any other business domain, uncertainties are part of the business in shipping. However, there are specific instances in the nature of COVID-19 that came with many challenges, like extended work contracts, no shore leaves, infrequent crew change, quarantine rules before sign-in, online surveys, etc. Such an uncertain and challenging work environment on board a ship (which itself is an organisation) results in anxiety, stress and depression. In this context, leadership integrity provides much-needed direction and can create a healthy work environment in any organisation. It is in this context that this paper tries to measure this hypothesis in an explorative study, particularly among active marine engineers who worked on board ships during the COVID-19 pandemic. Such knowledge facilitates the understanding of organisational behaviour during challenging times and provides a timely prescription for organisational success during uncertainties and challenging times with much significant focus on the integrity of leaders.