Driver Control Practices: The Voice of the Driver

Abstract

AbstractThe purpose of this research is to investigate current driver control practices from the driver's viewpoint in order to better understand the motives and actions of truck drivers. This research extends current theory concerning driver control as well as offering information potentially helpful to practitioners. It fills a gap in the research that failed to include driver input. The approach taken in this research is theory elaboration, using interviews with truck drivers as the primary source of data. We found evidence within the formal control area that not only the extent but also the type of activity control used can affect driver attitudes and behaviors, and that not all output-control programs may be effective. In the informal control area, we found evidence that unions can positively affect professional control, that organizational climate is an important factor in influencing drivers, and that informal controls may be more influential than formal control types. Our findings add confirmation to the existing control framework, while extending the framework to include the influence of unions and organizational climate.