How human factors affect operators' task evolution in Logistics 4.0

Abstract

The spread of the Industry 4.0 paradigm introduced an increasing number of technological innovations into companies to improve logistics processes. During a transition to Logistics 4.0, it is necessary to consider all the issues that affect logistics, among which human factors (HF) are considered to be the most important. On the basis of the existing scientific literature, this article aimed to identify the relationships between 4.0 technologies implementation and HF concerning the evolution of human activities towards different hypothetical future scenarios (i.e., no changes, work replaced, or work assisted), analysing in detail the HF affected by 4.0 technologies. These relationships, which were summarised in a matrix, were also tested through a single longitudinal case study. The research showed that technology tends to replace logistics operators, not only for dangerous physical tasks but also for cognitive tasks that are stressful and repetitive. Moreover, for some tasks in which many different HF are involved, the evolution is towards operator assistance, rather than replacement.

A Taxonomy of Technologies for Human-Centred Logistics 4.0

“…In some activities, there is a more significant number of technologies adopted, and, in general, they are applied more for the management of material flows than for information flows. The first result is not surprising, as picking and material handling activities are, in fact, primarily repetitive and dangerous activities (especially material handling, when materials are handled at high altitudes) for which human intervention is limited [34]. This motivation explains the presence of a large number of automationrelated technologies in both areas.…”

“…Automation Automation represents the situation in which operators are completely replaced by a machine/robot or an automatic computerized system that become in charge of the tasks that were previously performed by a human worker. [3,34] Support Support dimension refers to all the situations in which human and technology coexist in performing working tasks. [3,34] Finally, Table 4 summarize all the categories and the dimensions that have been identified during the second step of the research workflow and that will constitute the base of the taxonomy.…”

“…[3,34] Support Support dimension refers to all the situations in which human and technology coexist in performing working tasks. [3,34] Finally, Table 4 summarize all the categories and the dimensions that have been identified during the second step of the research workflow and that will constitute the base of the taxonomy.…”

A Case Study: Industry 4.0 and Human Factors in SMEs

“…As a result, the identified technologies can be used to support stressful and repetitive physical tasks and complex cognitive tasks, as well. In general, the evolution is more toward assistance rather than to a replacement of the human workforce (Cimini et al 2020).…”

Job satisfaction: An explorative study on work characteristics changes of employees in Intralogistics 4.0

“…However, little is known about the impact of Intralogistics 4.0 on manual workplaces in this field despite its economic importance, the high share of manual human work, and the expected effects of Intralogistics 4.0 on human work in this sector. Earlier research noted that the changing roles of workers often remain inexplicably unaddressed in the entire Industry 4.0 domain (Kadir et al 2019; Winkelhaus & Grosse, 2020), and only first conceptual studies highlight the need for examination and make initial contributions (Cimini et al 2020; Neumann et al 2021). Therefore, this study investigates the relationship between the developments of Intralogistics 4.0 and the characteristics of intralogistics workplaces.…”