The role of robotization in work design: a comparative case study among logistic warehouses

Abstract

Robots are increasingly used in a variety of work environments, but surprisingly little attention has been paid to how robots change work. In this comparative case study, we explore how robotization changed the work design of order pickers and order packers in eight logistic warehouses. We found that all warehouses robotized tasks based on technological functionality to increase efficiency, which sometimes created jobs consisting of ‘left-over tasks’. Only two warehouses used a bottom-up approach, where employees were involved in the implementation and quality of work was considered important. Although the other warehouses did not, sometimes their work design still benefitted from robotization. The positive effects we identified are reduced physical and cognitive demands and opportunities for upskilling. Warehouses that lack attention to the quality of work may risk ending up with the negative effects for employees, such as simplification and intensification of work, and reduced autonomy. We propose that understanding the consequences of robots on work design supports HR professionals to help managing this transition by both giving relevant input on a strategic level about the importance of work design and advocating for employees and their involvement.

Keywords:

• Robotization
• work design
• work simplification
• work quality
• logistic warehouses

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to restrictions e.g. their containing information that could compromise the privacy of research participants.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1 Work design includes the (re)design of new jobs and existing jobs. We focus on how existing jobs are changed when tasks are divided between employees and robots. How robotization creates new jobs falls beyond our scope.

2 This project was financed by the Dutch Research Council and subject to the ethical guidelines of its responsible innovation program, which includes a review on ethical aspects (award number 313-99-334).

3 Managers were asked about their own work and the work of the order pickers and order packers they managed.