International Journal of Operations and Logistics Management www.absronline.org/journals p-ISSN: 2310-4945; e-ISSN: 2309-8023 Volume: 3, Issue: 3, Pages: 222-240 (September 2014) © Academy of Business & Scientific Research *Corresponding author: Surajit Bag Purchase Manager, Tega Industries Limited, 147, Block-G,New Alipore, Kolkata-700053, India. E-Mail: surajit.bag@tegaindustries.com 222 Retention of Long Distance Company Truck Drivers in India Surajit Bag 1 *, and Neeraj Anand 2 1. Purchase Manager, Tega Industries Limited, 147, Block-G,New Alipore, Kolkata-700053, India (surajit.bag@tegaindustries.com) 2. Associate Professor, University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Dehradun, India (nanand@ddn.upes.ac.in) Purpose- The purpose of this study is to investigate empirically the critical factors influencing high turnover among long distance truck drivers who are basically company drivers. Design/Methodology/Approach- 109 long distance company truck drivers were interviewed about compensation, top management support, time at home, health safety and security. Factor analysis is used to reduce the data and further regression analysis is used to study the functional relationships among the factors. Findings-The findings provide unique contribution to the existing transportation literature and explore further research directions. Vocational training, social vaccine and education are required to enhance the skill sets of long distance truck drivers since these are the necessary weapons required by them to face the challenging environment which is an integral part of this profession. The trainings will aid in enhancement of social skills and technical skills of truck drivers which will motivate them to stay in the trucking industry. Practical implications- The study will show direction to the logistics companies in retention of long distance truck drivers. Keywords: Truck Drivers, Retention, India, Factor Analysis, Multiple Regression Modeling INTRODUCTION The Indian trucking industry is the heart of logistics movement and country‟s growth. According vice-president of the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), N.P. Velu; more than 12 crore people in the country are directly and indirectly dependent on freight transport industry for a living. However this sector is highly unorganized and faces several challenges. Trucks carry both perishable and non perishable goods from source to the markets and involve interstate long distance travelling over 1000 kilometers. In the entire story drivers are the key characters and business success depends on their competence. Once drivers start the journey they are the ruler on the highways and fully responsible for timely delivery of goods to the destination. In case of perishable goods such as transportation of grapes from Nashik to Kolkata the standard delivery time would be five days. There is a popular term being used locally by the transporters known as „inam‟