Socio-Technical Process Modules for Configuring Current and Future Logistics Processes

Abstract

In a globally competitive environment with high innovation pressure and decreasing response time to customer requirements, companies are faced with having to improve their logistics system. This optimization is strongly supported by growing digitalization and autonomization of logistics within Industry 4.0 and leads to a fundamental change in the entire logistics processes of companies. While previous methods of process analysis do not comprehensively consider the transformation of the logistics system, this paper presents an approach for task-oriented modeling of current and future logistics processes in consideration of the socio-technical system. Based on literature research, expert interviews, and workshops, logistics process modules for modeling automotive logistics are derived. These modules can be configured via parameters and values, similar to morphological boxes. The validation of the developed process modules occurred in the logistics processes of a commercial vehicle manufacturer. Using the process modules, both the current process flow and future scenarios can be modeled, and process changes can be revealed transparently in terms of people and technology.