Information technology and road transport industry: how does IT affect the lorry driver?
A quasi-experimental design was used to study the effect of on board computer-systems (OBC-systems) on the Dutch lorry drivers' psychosocial work environment (i.e., control and demands) and coinciding mental health (i.e., need for recovery after work) and job attitudes (i.e., organisational commitment). The intervention group (n = 26) started working with an OBC-system between 1998 and 2000 and was compared with two matched reference groups (n = 26 in both groups). All participants were from a cohort of 650 drivers who participated in a prospective study on occupational stress and health. All outcome variables were quantified by standardised and validated questionnaires. Results showed that the application of OBC-systems negatively affected the drivers' job control and organisational commitment. However, OBC-systems did not influence the drivers' psychological job demands and need for recovery after work. Accordingly, it is concluded that the application of OBC-systems negatively affects the lorry driver's psychosocial work environment and job attitudes.
de Croon
Einar M
EM
Coronel 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
Kuijer
P Paul F M
PP
Broersen
Jake P J
JP
Frings-Dresen
Monique H W
MH
D000328:Adult; D001334:Automobile Driving; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008603:Mental Health; D009426:Netherlands; D016272:Occupational Health; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014584:User-Computer Interface