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Information technology and road transport industry: how does IT affect the lorry driver?
Einar M de Croon1, P Paul F M Kuijer, Jake P J Broersen
1Coronel Institute for Occupational and Environmental Health, AmCOGG Amsterdam Centre for Research into Health and Health Care, Academic Medical Centre/University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. e.m.decroon@amc.uva.nl
Applied Ergonomics
|May 26, 2004
Summary
On board computer-systems (OBC-systems) negatively impacted Dutch lorry drivers' job control and commitment. These systems did not affect job demands or the need for recovery, suggesting a detrimental effect on the psychosocial work environment.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Psychosocial Work Environment
Background:
- The increasing integration of technology in transportation necessitates understanding its impact on drivers.
- On board computer-systems (OBC-systems) are becoming prevalent in the logistics industry.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated the psychosocial effects of OBC-systems on lorry drivers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of OBC-systems on Dutch lorry drivers' psychosocial work environment.
- To assess the impact of OBC-systems on job control, job demands, organizational commitment, and need for recovery.
- To determine the relationship between OBC-system implementation and driver mental health and job attitudes.
Main Methods:
- A quasi-experimental design was employed, comparing an intervention group (n=26) using OBC-systems with two matched reference groups (n=26 each).
- Participants were drawn from a larger cohort (n=650) involved in a prospective study on occupational stress and health.
- Standardized and validated questionnaires quantified outcomes, including job control, demands, organizational commitment, and need for recovery.
Main Results:
- Implementation of OBC-systems was associated with a significant negative effect on drivers' job control.
- Organizational commitment among drivers using OBC-systems showed a negative impact.
- OBC-systems did not significantly influence psychological job demands or the need for recovery after work.
Conclusions:
- OBC-systems negatively affect the psychosocial work environment of lorry drivers, specifically reducing job control.
- The implementation of OBC-systems appears to diminish organizational commitment among lorry drivers.
- While not impacting job demands or recovery needs, the overall effect on the driver's work environment and attitudes is negative.