Doctoral student Moe Kyaw, under the supervision of Professor Zina Kyriakou, has published new research on job satisfaction among Myanmar seafarers in theMediterranean Journal of Social Sciences.

The study examines workplace factors that influence satisfaction among Myanmar seafarers working on ocean-going vessels. Myanmar has emerged as one of the world’s top ten suppliers of merchant navy officers, yet remains significantly underrepresented in maritime human resources research.

“This research addresses an important gap in our understanding of what drives satisfaction and retention among Myanmar seafarers,” said Kyaw. “The findings provide evidence-based insights for ship management companies and maritime policy makers facing crew retention challenges.”

The research emphasizes the importance of culturally informed approaches to seafarer welfare, demonstrating that satisfaction determinants vary across different national and cultural seafaring populations. As the maritime industry continues to rely on multinational crews, understanding these cultural differences becomes increasingly critical.

“I am proud of Moe’s rigorous work and his contribution to maritime workforce research,” said Professor Kyriakou. “This publication represents an important milestone in his doctoral journey and offers practical value to the shipping industry.”

This publication marks a significant achievement for the International Executive School’s doctoral program and contributes valuable knowledge to the field of maritime human resources.

Full Citation:
Kyaw, M., Kyriakou, Z., & Naipaul, J. (2026). Job satisfaction among Myanmar seafarers on ocean-going vessels: The role of workplace conditions. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 17(1), 73. https://doi.org/10.36941/mjss-2026-0073