DETERMINANTS OF JOB SATISFACTION OF PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS

This report contains the results of a survey of truck drivers to determine their opinions about specific areas of their work and how important these areas are to their job satisfaction. Herzberg's two-factor theory of job satisfaction was used in designing and interpreting the questionnaire. Factors motivating drivers are separated from factors aggravating drivers. Approximately a thousand surveys were sent to union and non-union drivers of thirteen North Dakota firms. Four hundred seventy-one were returned for a 48% response rate. The questionnaire consisted of 67 multiple-part questions. In addition, one-third of those returned included additional comments on the questionnaire. The findings, in brief, are as follows: Two public policy areas were very important to drivers--the variation between states' laws and road pavement conditions. Career advancement, a motivator, is important or very important to three-fourths of drivers. However, drivers felt opportunities for advancement either within their firm or within the industry were poor. In addition, two-thirds thought their company was not concerned about their career advancement. Drivers also felt that their job suffers from an image problem, and they felt that this problem is severe enough to have affected their job. Drivers believe customer service is very important and is an aspect of their job that they enjoy but are not recognized for. Pay is not perceived as the solution to the problem of turnover and a general shortage. However, pay must be at a sufficient level to prevent it from aggravating people into leaving. Given the ranking of pay in importance, it is currently not at such a level. Following the presentation of the survey results, suggestions are made to help managers incorporate the results into a plan of action.

• Record URL:
  https://www.ugpti.org/resources/reports/details.php?id=216
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/60345
• Corporate Authors:

  Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute

  North Dakota State University
  1320 Albrecht Boulevard
  Fargo, ND  United States  581052
• Authors:
  • Rodriguez, J M
  • Griffin, G C
• Publication Date: 1990-10

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 129 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Data collection; Job satisfaction; Personnel management; Personnel retention; Professional drivers; Questionnaires; Recommendations; Shortages; Surveys; Truck drivers; Turnover
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Highways; Research; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00607563
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: UGPTI Res Rept 68
• Files: NTL, TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 30 1991 12:00AM