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Assessing Causes of Driver Job Dissatisfaction in the Flatbed Motor Carrier Industry

Author

Listed:
  • Ashley Wygal

    (FIS, Jacksonville, FL 02142, USA)

  • Douglas Voss

    (Department of Marketing and Management, University of Central Arkansas, 312 Business Administration Building, Conway, AR 72035, USA)

  • Michael B. Hargis

    (Department of Marketing and Management, University of Central Arkansas, 312 Business Administration Building, Conway, AR 72035, USA)

  • Scott Nadler

    (Department of Marketing and Management, University of Central Arkansas, 312 Business Administration Building, Conway, AR 72035, USA)

Abstract

Trucking companies play a critical role in the U.S. economy but face many challenges. The trucking industry’s greatest challenge may be the persistent driver turnover problem. Trucking companies regularly report turnover rates exceeding 100%. Each driver costs between $2200–$21,000 to replace and new drivers often impact carrier customer service and safety performance. The purpose of this article is to qualitatively explore the challenges drivers face with hopes of uncovering unique methods to improve job satisfaction and ameliorate turnover and retention issues. Results indicate that driver job satisfaction is related to compensation, management quality, equipment quality, home time, and wait time. Proactive managerial actions in the form of pre-planning loads are proposed as a method for carriers to resolve many driver concerns and possibly provide carriers with a competitive advantage in driver retention.

Suggested Citation

  • Ashley Wygal & Douglas Voss & Michael B. Hargis & Scott Nadler, 2021. "Assessing Causes of Driver Job Dissatisfaction in the Flatbed Motor Carrier Industry," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 5(2), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlogis:v:5:y:2021:i:2:p:34-:d:568377
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Judith Semeijn & Barry de Waard & Wim Lambrechts & Janjaap Semeijn, 2019. "Burning Rubber or Burning Out? The Influence of Role Stressors on Burnout among Truck Drivers," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 3(1), pages 1-16, February.
    2. Suzuki, Yoshinori & Crum, Michael R. & Pautsch, Gregory R., 2009. "Predicting truck driver turnover," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 45(4), pages 538-550, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hanane Allioui & Azzeddine Allioui & Youssef Mourdi, 2024. "Maintaining effective logistics management during and after COVID‑19 pandemic: survey on the importance of artificial intelligence to enhance recovery strategies," OPSEARCH, Springer;Operational Research Society of India, vol. 61(2), pages 918-962, June.
    2. Milan Andrejić & Milorad Kilibarda & Vukašin Pajić, 2022. "Job Satisfaction and Labor Fluctuation: A Case Study in the Logistics Sector in Serbia," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-15, July.

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