In the driver’s seat: the role of transformational leadership in safe and productive truck cargo transport

Alexandros Pasparakis, Jelle de Vries, René de Koster and Debjit Roy ()
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Alexandros Pasparakis: Erasmus University
Jelle de Vries: Erasmus University
René de Koster: Erasmus University
Debjit Roy: Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad

Flexible Services and Manufacturing Journal, 2025, vol. 37, issue 1, No 9, 28 pages

Abstract: Abstract This study investigates the effect of safety-specific transformational leadership (SSTL) on the performance outcomes of safe driving and driving productivity in both long and short-haul truck cargo transport. We conduct our study in the context of a hazardous material (HAZMAT) Indian transport company using a sample of 1,196 trips across 104 unique routes, and driven by 71 truck drivers over a 30-month span. We establish that SSTL is beneficial for truck driving productivity as it positively influences driving productivity in long-haul trips. There is no conclusive evidence of a negative effect on the productivity in short-haul trips. Furthermore, our results show that more experienced drivers are also more likely to indulge in risky driving behavior. Our findings have immediate practical applications for transport companies that wish to promote operational safety, while safeguarding and even improving operational productivity.

Keywords: Truck transport; Safety; Productivity; Safety leadership; Transformational leadership; Behavioral operations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s10696-024-09539-9

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