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On the tenth anniversary of the 1980 Motor Carder Act, the authors conducted a survey of trucking company CEOs regarding their reactions to trucking deregulation. One of the points made [...]

The trend toward greater uninformed response in marketing surveys and public polls have caused several problems in survey research. As a result, three design techniques have been created to increase response rates to survey questions. The techniques make use of monetary incentives, sponsorships and type of appeal, which are done by altering the wordings in some surveys to catch the respondents attention and therefore, increase their enthusiasm.

One of the most serious challenges facing the trucking industry is the future shortage of drivers. Although the driver shortage is less problematic now because of the current economic recession, it will again become a pressing problem because of changing demographics and trucking industry growth. Research shows that between 2005 and 2015, the industry will need to hire over 500,000 drivers. The problem of too few drivers is exacerbated by the fact that the trucking industry also faces driver turnover rates that in recent years have exceeded 100 percent. This study was designed to empirically investigate factors related to those two problems and to provide managers with further insights regarding those problems. One hundred four long-distance truck drivers were interviewed and asked a series of questions designed to uncover job aspects that drivers liked and disliked. Included are numerous verbatim driver statements which provide meaningful insights into their job satisfaction. Results showed that independence, the opportunity to see the country, good income, and the pleasure of driving were job features that drivers liked most. Drivers most disliked being away from home, high fuel prices, the lack of "4 wheeler" driving skills, government regulations, and loading/unloading issues. Comparisons of independent owner/operator and company drivers are presented and managerial implications of the findings are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the status of the trucking industry in the United States in the perspective of the chief executive officers of trucking companies. Factors affecting the industry; Key provisions of the 1980 Motor Carrier Act and how the law influences the condition of the industry; Impact of deregulation on the industry.