{"title":"Empirical evidence on human learning and work characteristics in the transition to automated order picking","authors":"Dominic Loske","doi":"10.1111/jbl.12300","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p>Although technological innovation has enabled a new wave of warehouse automation, human involvement remains necessary for most order picking operations in grocery retailing. This has spawned new forms of interaction between humans, machines, and intelligent software, that is, cyber-sociotechnical systems. However, scant empirical field-based research has been conducted on how this transition impacts human learning and the perception of work characteristics. Considering that humans are an essential element of these systems, it is fundamentally important to quantify the impact of these transformations when aspiring to improve performance, quality, and workers' well-being as primary outcomes of order picking systems. This study utilized a mixed-methods design, developing and applying parametric and non-parametric approaches to operationalize learning progress, and semi-structured interviews were conducted to examine perceived work characteristics. The findings indicate that the perception–cognition–motor–action cycle for learning by doing tasks can be accelerated through real-time feedback provided by the order picking system. Furthermore, perceived work autonomy and feedback from the picking system are constant or perceived as greater when human decisions are accepted. The results have valuable implications for logistics practitioners, emphasizing the need for human-centered work system design.</p>","PeriodicalId":48090,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Business Logistics","volume":"43 3","pages":"302-342"},"PeriodicalIF":11.2000,"publicationDate":"2022-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"7","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Business Logistics","FirstCategoryId":"91","ListUrlMain":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jbl.12300","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"MANAGEMENT","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 7
Abstract
Although technological innovation has enabled a new wave of warehouse automation, human involvement remains necessary for most order picking operations in grocery retailing. This has spawned new forms of interaction between humans, machines, and intelligent software, that is, cyber-sociotechnical systems. However, scant empirical field-based research has been conducted on how this transition impacts human learning and the perception of work characteristics. Considering that humans are an essential element of these systems, it is fundamentally important to quantify the impact of these transformations when aspiring to improve performance, quality, and workers' well-being as primary outcomes of order picking systems. This study utilized a mixed-methods design, developing and applying parametric and non-parametric approaches to operationalize learning progress, and semi-structured interviews were conducted to examine perceived work characteristics. The findings indicate that the perception–cognition–motor–action cycle for learning by doing tasks can be accelerated through real-time feedback provided by the order picking system. Furthermore, perceived work autonomy and feedback from the picking system are constant or perceived as greater when human decisions are accepted. The results have valuable implications for logistics practitioners, emphasizing the need for human-centered work system design.
期刊介绍:
Supply chain management and logistics processes play a crucial role in the success of businesses, both in terms of operations, strategy, and finances. To gain a deep understanding of these processes, it is essential to explore academic literature such as The Journal of Business Logistics. This journal serves as a scholarly platform for sharing original ideas, research findings, and effective strategies in the field of logistics and supply chain management. By providing innovative insights and research-driven knowledge, it equips organizations with the necessary tools to navigate the ever-changing business environment.