Japanese trucking is in a sustainability crisis due to sluggish transportation demand, low profitability of trucking companies, ageing drivers, and lower compensation to drivers despite long working hours. This study surveyed interviews of stakeholders in trucking to research what perspectives those involved in the transportation supply chain reacted to the crisis, including the use of digital information, which is considered one of the effective solutions. The survey results show that the promotion of digitalized information is not so much for the sake of trucking companies in crisis but rather for improving efficiency for shippers in sending and receiving cargo. The survey also revealed that this is due to the transaction relationship between shippers and trucking companies and between trucking companies who share transportation tasks.

Chapter 3 attempts to construct a new model of problem solving using the concept of pragmatism for routine theory that takes a processual approach. First, it points out that there are four obstacles to conventional routine theory when trying to take a processual approach: (1) dualism, (2) a variance-based theory of learning and organizing, (3) temporal problem, and (4) micro-macro problem. It then takes three of the concepts of pragmatism, habit, inquiry, and conversational trans-action, applies them to the problem-solving process, and builds a model based on a processual perspective. In Chapter 2, however, it is said that an essential element in adopting a processual approach is to view patterning and performing as inseparable. This means that only when the elements of the two actions are combined can it be called a processual theorization of routines. The discussion in Chapter 3, then, can be regarded as an elaboration of performing only, which is insufficient as a processual theorization of routines and requires further theoretical development.