Abstract
Following the spread of the Industry 4.0 paradigm, the role of digital technologies in manufacturing, especially in production and industrial logistics processes, has become increasingly pivotal. Although the push towards digitalization and processes interconnection can bring substantial benefits, it may also increase the complexity of processes in terms of integration and management. To fully exploit the potential of technology, companies are required to develop an in-depth knowledge of each operational activity and related human aspects in the contexts where technology solutions can be implemented. Indeed, analyzing the impacts of technology on human work is key to promoting human-centred smart manufacturing and logistics processes. Therefore, this paper aims at increasing and systematizing knowledge about technologies supporting internal logistics working activities The main contribution of this paper is a taxonomy of the technologies that may be implemented in the different internal logistics areas to support a Logistics 4.0 model. Such a contribution is elaborated in accordance with a deductive approach (i.e., reasoning from the particular to the general), and backed up by an analysis of the literature. The taxonomy represents a useful framework to understand the current and possible technological implementations to drive logistics processes towards Logistics 4.0, with specific attention to the relation between human operators and technologies.
Highlights
IntroductionA growth in complexity often affects negatively the workforce, who may have to adapt to a working environment that requires new skills, as well as the company, which may have to deal with new operational models, additional investments (e.g., cybersecurity), and with the need to apply standards in its departments but often with suppliers and customers [3]
The research methodology adopted to devise a proper taxonomy of technologies to guide practitioners in choosing the most suitable technological applications in industrial contexts is composed of several steps, that will be described in the following
The present research work aims at realizing a taxonomy of the leading technologies implemented in the activities related to internal logistics
Summary
A growth in complexity often affects negatively the workforce, who may have to adapt to a working environment that requires new skills, as well as the company, which may have to deal with new operational models, additional investments (e.g., cybersecurity), and with the need to apply standards in its departments but often with suppliers and customers [3]. For these reasons, many companies are still in a transition phase from traditional production and logistics methods and management practices to more innovative ones [4].
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