Blockchain-Based Digital Credentialing Systems for Seafarer Certification Management: Implementation Challenges in Indonesian Maritime Academies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55123/ijisit.v2i2.49Keywords:
Blockchain Technology, Certificate Verification Digital Credentials, Maritime Education, Seafarer CertificationAbstract
Blockchain technology—a distributed ledger architecture employing cryptographic validation, decentralized consensus mechanisms, and immutable transaction recording—offers transformative potential for seafarer certification management through tamper-proof digital credentials enabling instant verification, fraud elimination, and seamless international recognition critical for the globally mobile maritime workforce operating across multiple flag state jurisdictions throughout their careers. Despite compelling theoretical benefits including reduced administrative costs, enhanced security, and improved credential portability, blockchain implementation in Indonesian maritime academies remains virtually absent, reflecting substantial technical, regulatory, institutional, and economic barriers constraining adoption. This qualitative study investigates blockchain digital credentialing implementation challenges at Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Pelayaran (STIP) Jakarta through systematic multi-stakeholder inquiry incorporating in-depth interviews (n=30) and cross-stakeholder Focus Group Discussions (n=3 sessions) engaging academic administrators, IT infrastructure specialists, maritime regulatory officials, and shipping industry employers. Thematic analysis reveals five interconnected implementation barrier dimensions: technical infrastructure limitations (particularly severe for IT personnel), regulatory framework absence (rated most critical by administrators and regulators), institutional coordination deficits reflecting network effects challenges, industry stakeholder adoption resistance driven by workflow integration concerns, and cost-benefit uncertainty particularly acute among employers. No single dominant barrier exists; rather, mutually reinforcing barriers create systemic adoption paralysis requiring coordinated multi-stakeholder intervention. The study proposes a Phased Blockchain Credentialing Implementation Roadmap sequencing pilot programs, regulatory engagement, consortium formation, and international interoperability development across a three-to-five-year timeline, providing evidence-grounded strategic guidance for navigating implementation complexity in Indonesian maritime education contexts.
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[2] M. Sharples and J. Domingue, "The blockchain and kudos: A distributed system for educational record, reputation and reward," in Proc. EC-TEL 2016: Adaptive and Adaptable Learning, K. Verbert et al., Eds. Cham, Switzerland: Springer, 2016, pp. 490–496.
[3] International Maritime Organization, "Regulatory scoping exercise for the use of maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS): Interim report," MSC.1/Circ.1621, London, U.K., 2019.
[4] A. Grech and A. F. Camilleri, Blockchain in Education. Luxembourg: European Commission Joint Research Centre, 2017.
[5] M. Q. Patton, Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods: Integrating Theory and Practice, 4th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA, USA: SAGE Publications, 2015.
[6] International Labour Organization and International Maritime Organization, Guidelines on the Medical Examinations of Seafarers. Geneva, Switzerland: ILO, 2013.
[7] M. A. Lambrou and S. Watanabe, "Shipping digital ecosystems: Technology-enabled stakeholder relationships in international shipping business networks," Maritime Bus. Rev., vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 243–262, 2020.
[8] S. Nakamoto, "Bitcoin: A peer-to-peer electronic cash system," Bitcoin.org, White Paper, 2008. [Online]. Available: https://bitcoin.org/bitcoin.pdf
[9] M. Swan, Blockchain: Blueprint for a New Economy. Sebastopol, CA, USA: O'Reilly Media, 2015.
[10] M. Turkanović, M. Hölbl, K. Košič, M. Heričko, and A. Kamišalić, "EduCTX: A blockchain-based higher education credit platform," IEEE Access, vol. 6, pp. 5112–5127, 2018.
[11] D. Tapscott and A. Tapscott, Blockchain Revolution: How the Technology Behind Bitcoin Is Changing Money, Business, and the World. New York, NY, USA: Portfolio/Penguin, 2016.
[12] G. Chen, B. Xu, M. Lu, and N.-S. Chen, "Exploring blockchain technology and its potential applications for education," Smart Learn. Environ., vol. 5, no. 1, Art. no. 1, 2018.
[13] J. Yli-Huumo, D. Ko, S. Choi, S. Park, and K. Smolander, "Where is current research on blockchain technology? A systematic review," PLoS ONE, vol. 11, no. 10, Art. no. e0163477, 2016.
[14] K. Garg, P. Saraswat, S. Bisht, S. K. Aggarwal, S. A. Kothuri, and S. Gupta, "A comparitive analysis on E-learning and blockchain E-learning," in Proc. Int. Conf. Comput. Sci., Eng. Appl., 2020, pp. 1–6.
[15] M. Lemieux, V. L. Lemieux, and S. Hofman, "Blockchain technology for recordkeeping: Help or hype?" Records Manage. J., vol. 27, no. 2, pp. 117–123, 2017.
[16] H. S. Ramos, A. S. Alencar, and C. F. Lima, "Blockchain in maritime logistics: Perspectives and opportunities," in Proc. IEEE Int. Conf. Ind. Eng. Eng. Manage., 2019, pp. 763–767.
[17] M. L. Katz and C. Shapiro, "Network externalities, competition, and compatibility," Amer. Econ. Rev., vol. 75, no. 3, pp. 424–440, 1985.
[18] J. W. Creswell and C. N. Poth, Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches, 4th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA, USA: SAGE Publications, 2018.
[19] M. Q. Patton, Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods, 4th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA, USA: SAGE Publications, 2015.
[20] D. L. Morgan, Focus Groups as Qualitative Research, 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA, USA: SAGE Publications, 1997.
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