| Abstract | Research by the American Trucking Association projects that the trucking industry will face a shortage of nearly 175,000 drivers by 2024. Academic research on this looming issue has been conducted for nearly three decades, examining root causes, strategies to combat, and probable economic and societal impacts. Despite ample research, very little progress has been made toward solving the problem. This study examines the existing literature and presents findings from interviews conducted with industry professionals to answer the question of why the shortage has been recognized but not successfully acted upon. The study reveals that industry management and end consumers have yet to feel the full financial impact of the shortage, so trucking companies lack sufficient incentive to address root causes, or to work together to decrease driver turnover and grow the overall labor force. |
