An empirical analysis of factors affecting the commercial adoption of autonomous trucks

• This study highlights the use of Grounded Theory and inductive research in the contemporary Supply Chain and Transportation environment. • The study determined that transportation decisions among managers are a complex and multifaceted decision that is based on several factors. • The study examined the emerging phenomenon of autonomous trucks using a rigorous qualitative methodology that incorporated transportation professionals from a diverse array of companies, industries, and positions. • The study presents a conceptual model with theorized relationships that can be deductively tested in future research. • This study presents propositions for factors that will affect the use of autonomous trucks, generated inductively from Grounded Theory Methodology. Autonomous semi-trucks are poised to be a disruptive technology in the motor carrier industry, and many studies extol the virtues of autonomous vehicles. The benefits cited in these studies generally assume high market penetration rates, yet there is a lack of rigorous qualitative studies that investigate the factors that will drive autonomous truck adoption in the commercial transportation sector. This study describes a conceptual model featuring twelve factors that may affect autonomous truck adoption. These factors were identified from a grounded theory analysis of semi-structured interviews with a sample of transportation professionals from different companies, positions, and geographic regions within the United States. The results shed light on what might spur adoption of autonomous technologies in the motor carrier industry and provide information that can guide the development of new technologies, procedures, and regulations.