Applying a voluntary compliance model to a proposed transportation safety regulation

Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this paper is the development of a voluntary compliance model that is applied to the current and substantive governmental regulatory electronic on‐board recorder (EOBR) proposal in the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is designed to qualitatively evaluate the responses of commercial drivers to the federal government's proposed EOBR safety technology. Results are based on the analysis of published comments made by commercial drivers to a US government online database, the Federal Docket Management System.

Findings

Four major thematic categories emerged from the commercial driver comments are analyzed, including government control over workplace behavior; financial impact; technology readiness; and attribution issues –, e.g. misplaced responsibility for safety problems (generally on other drivers or outside parties). This paper links these concerns to a procedural justice model and discusses how procedural justice concerns can contribute to voluntary compliance and employment turnover intentions. Important commercial driver, motor carrier, and public policy implications are thus revealed.

Originality/value

This study represents the first development of a voluntary compliance model that is applied to the proposed EOBR mandate. The deployment of this voluntary compliance model may lead to greater compliance rates.

Citation

Cantor, D.E. and Terle, M. (2010), "Applying a voluntary compliance model to a proposed transportation safety regulation", International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, Vol. 40 No. 10, pp. 822-846. https://doi.org/10.1108/09600031011093223