| dc.description.abstract | This study aimed to understand how digital transformation impacts innovation and knowledge sharing in the maritime industry. To narrow down the scope of the study, the focus of this thesis was placed on the Norwegian maritime industry. The study aimed to build a deeper insight to an industry relatively overlooked in research when it comes to digital transformation. There is some research that can be found on digital transformation in the maritime industry, but it is largely restricted to shipping and logistics, and is not focused within Norway. It also focused specifically on the Norwegian maritime industry, and within the context of how Covid-19 has changed things. The study has addressed the impact of digital transformation on company personnel with respect to innovation and knowledge sharing, and how Covid-19 has prompted digital transformation changes and the subsequent impact on the Norwegian maritime industry. Qualitative research was the methodological approach taken, with in-depth semi-structured interviews taken from a total of 4 participants working in the industry. The results showed that digital transformation has had both positive and negative impacts on the industry. A key point highlighted by participants was that the industry had already been used to incorporating digital transformation before the pandemic, and that Covid-19 may only have enhanced some of the aspects of digital transformation, as they now had no choice but to rely heavily on digital means of technology. In addition to helping better understand the roles of different level of maritime firms in future, this study can help provide useful insights regarding the future challenges and opportunities for the maritime industry in moving toward digitalization. | |