Ship Management System

Each Shipboard Management Team, consisting of two Masters and two Chief Engineers, is
responsible for the superintendence of the vessel.
This unique method of ship operation stimulates the officers interest and involvement in their
own vessel, ensures optimal maintenance and high technical standards and, in the long run,
lowers overall costs.
The Masters and Chief Engineers work together, while on board as well as on leave, and are
responsible for budgets, spares and stores, and repairs and maintenance.
They are also involved in the management of quality, safety and regulatory issues as well as the
recruitment of officers and ratings.
The shore organization provides technical support, crewing and personnel co-ordination,
commercial management, accounting and harmonization of the operation of the vessels.
This structure requires a continuous collaboration between the officers that are on board the ship
and those who are on leave.
The system brings a flat organization with quick decisions, cost effectiveness, and a more
stimulating and motivating work environment for the officers with a possibility to influence the
company.
Laurin Maritime holds inclusive meetings three times a year in Gothenburg and Manila, where
officers and ratings meet to discuss security, new regulations, the ship budget, and life onboard.

Difference between Power and Authority

Authority is the right given to a manager to achieve the objectives of the organisation. It is a
right to get the things done through others. It is a right to take decisions. It is a right to give
orders to the subordinates and to get obedience from them. A manager cannot do his work
without authority.
A manager gets his authority from his position or post. He gets his authority from the higher
authorities. The lower and middle-level managers get their authority from the top-level
managers. The top-level managers get their authority from the shareholders.
Authority always flows downwards. It is delegated from the top to the bottom.
According to Henri Fayol,
"Authority is the right to give orders and power to exact (get) obedience."
Power is a broader concept than authority. Power is the ability of a person or a group to
influence the beliefs and actions of other people. It is the ability to influence events. Power can
be personal power. A person gets his personal power from his personality or from his expert
knowledge. Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers, Programmers, etc. get their power from their expertise
and professional knowledge. Power can also be legitimate or official power. This power comes
from a higher authority.
In management, authority differs from power in the following ways:1. Nature
Authority is the formal right given to a manager to make decisions or to command.
Power is the personal ability to influence others or events.
2. Flow
Authority flows downwards in the organisation. This is because it is delegated by the superiors to
the subordinates.
Power can flow in any direction. Even subordinates have power over their superiors, if they can
influence their behavior. So power can flow upwards, downwards or horizontally.
3. Organisational Charts
Authority relationships (superior-subordinate relationships) can be shown in the organisation
charts.
Power relationships cannot be shown in organisation charts.
4. Level of Management

Authority depends on the level of management. Higher the level of management, higher will be
the authority and vice-versa.
Power does not depend on the level of management. Power can exist at any level of
management. Even a lower-level manager or a worker can have power to influence the behaviour
of a top-level manager.
5. Legitimacy
Authority is always official in nature. So it is legitimate.
Power need not be official in nature. So it need not be legitimate.
6. Position and Person
Authority is given to a position or post. The manager gets the authority only when he holds that
position.
Power resides (lives) in the person who uses it.