Managing logistics processes is a complex task that involves many stakeholders, different ownership of assets, and coordination among key actors such as shippers, carriers, logistics service providers, and customers. Market globalization, the growth of e-commerce, and the increased attention toward sustainability are some of the changes that further increase this management complexity by triggering the need for cost-effective, sustainable systems to keep pace with the current stakeholders’ requirements. Managing this complexity requires new and breakthrough organizational and technical solutions. Cyber-physical systems (CPS), which are the focus of the Logistics 4.0 (L40) paradigm, could offer a possible answer for this management challenge, and they might turn the logistics process into a strategic weapon, enabling firms to improve both the efficiency of logistics operations and their service level, while achieving sustainability outcomes also in terms of environmental and social values. Despite the great opportunities claimed, confusion exists around the definition of L40, and empirical research able to explain how to diffuse and integrate 4.0 concepts in companies and logistics processes respectively is scant. Focusing on the conceptualization, diffusion, and integration of L40 into logistics processes, this thesis aims to contribute to the L40 transition to make companies benefit from the fourth industrial revolution. For this purpose, knowledge will be built on: (1) understanding how to design and configure L40 processes, (2) studying how L40 is diffused in practice and what role company size has in the diffusion of the fourth industrial paradigm for logistics, and (3) understanding how to integrate L40 in logistics processes by developing and studying real-life applications. The results are formalized in a collection of four papers (three journal papers and one conference paper). This thesis shows that an “L40 process” is an evolutionary concept that should include three main principles: the automation of physical tasks and data collection, the integration of data among related processes and actors, and intelligent data analysis supporting decision-making and process improvement. It also proves that the diffusion of L40 is an ongoing process, and that size affects the way companies are shaping their transformation path. Besides, by developing two applications of L40 for logistics, this thesis highlights the integrated design of process and technology as a key aspect to successfully adopting L40 and it offers insights into the quantification of L40 benefits in logistics. Results offer both academic and practical implications. From a theoretical perspective, this study is one of the first research focusing on how the 4.0 concepts can be defined and applied in logistics processes. It also contributes to clarifying the L40 diffusion rate by offering empirical evidence and advancing the debate around the role of company size in determining organization innovativeness. From a practical viewpoint, this thesis clarifies the meaning of L40 and offers insights into how to design and manage the L40 transition process. Ready-to-use instruments that can support managers and workers in their day-by-day activities are also offered.
La gestione dei processi logistici è un'attività complessa che coinvolge numerosi stakeholder, diverse risorse e richiede il coordinamento tra attori chiave come produttori, rivenditori, vettori, fornitori di servizi logistici e clienti. La globalizzazione dei mercati, la crescita dell'e-commerce e una sempre maggiore attenzione verso la sostenibilità sono alcuni dei cambiamenti che hanno aumentato ulteriormente questa complessità di gestione e hanno fatto emergere l’esigenza di sistemi sempre più efficienti e sostenibili, necessari per tenere il passo con le attuali esigenze. La gestione di questa complessità richiede soluzioni tecniche ed organizzative nuove e rivoluzionarie. I Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), sistemi al centro del paradigma della Logistica 4.0 (L40), sono in grado di offrire una possibile risposta a questa sfida gestionale, consentendo alle imprese di migliorare sia l'efficienza dei processi logistici che il livello di servizio, raggiungendo risultati di sostenibilità anche in termini ambientali e sociali. Nonostante le grandi opportunità attese, esiste ancora confusione intorno alla definizione di L40, ed è scarsa la ricerca empirica in grado di spiegare come diffondere e integrare i concetti 4.0 all’interno delle aziende e dei processi logistici. Concentrandosi sullo studio della concettualizzazione, diffusione e integrazione della L40 all’interno dei processi logistici, questa tesi mira a contribuire alla transizione verso una L40, per permettere alle aziende di cogliere le opportunità ad essa legate. La tesi vuole conseguire i seguenti obiettivi: (1) capire come progettare e configurare i processi di L40; (2) studiare come la L40 è diffusa nella pratica e quale ruolo ha la dimensione aziendale nella diffusione della L40; (3) capire come integrare la L40 nei processi logistici attraverso lo sviluppo e lo studio di applicazioni reali. I risultati sono formalizzati in una raccolta di quattro articoli (tre articoli su rivista e uno a conferenza). Questa tesi mostra che un "processo di L40" è un concetto evolutivo che include tre principi fondamentali: l'automazione delle attività fisiche e della raccolta dei dati, l'integrazione e la condivisione dei dati tra processi e attori e l'analisi dei dati a supporto delle decisioni e del miglioramento del processo stesso. La tesi dimostra anche che la L40 si sta diffondendo tra le aziende e che la dimensione aziendale influenza il modo in cui le aziende definiscono e intraprendono il loro percorso di trasformazione. Inoltre, attraverso lo sviluppo di due applicazioni di L40, questa tesi evidenzia come la progettazione integrata di processo e tecnologia sia un aspetto chiave per adottare con successo la L40 e offre approfondimenti sulla quantificazione dei benefici offerti dalla L40. I risultati offrono implicazioni sia accademiche che pratiche. Da un punto di vista teorico, questo studio è una delle prime ricerche incentrate su come i concetti 4.0 possono essere definiti e applicati nei processi logistici. La tesi contribuisce inoltre a chiarire il tasso di diffusione della L40 attraverso evidenze empiriche e porta avanti il dibattito sul ruolo della dimensione aziendale nel determinare le capacità di innovazione di un’azienda. Da un punto di vista pratico, questa tesi chiarisce il significato di L40 e offre spunti su come progettare e gestire il processo di transizione verso una L40. La tesi offre inoltre strumenti a supporto dei manager e degli operatori del settore della logistica.
Logistics 4.0 transition : conceptualization and design insights
MODICA, TIZIANA
2022/2023
Abstract
Managing logistics processes is a complex task that involves many stakeholders, different ownership of assets, and coordination among key actors such as shippers, carriers, logistics service providers, and customers. Market globalization, the growth of e-commerce, and the increased attention toward sustainability are some of the changes that further increase this management complexity by triggering the need for cost-effective, sustainable systems to keep pace with the current stakeholders’ requirements. Managing this complexity requires new and breakthrough organizational and technical solutions. Cyber-physical systems (CPS), which are the focus of the Logistics 4.0 (L40) paradigm, could offer a possible answer for this management challenge, and they might turn the logistics process into a strategic weapon, enabling firms to improve both the efficiency of logistics operations and their service level, while achieving sustainability outcomes also in terms of environmental and social values. Despite the great opportunities claimed, confusion exists around the definition of L40, and empirical research able to explain how to diffuse and integrate 4.0 concepts in companies and logistics processes respectively is scant. Focusing on the conceptualization, diffusion, and integration of L40 into logistics processes, this thesis aims to contribute to the L40 transition to make companies benefit from the fourth industrial revolution. For this purpose, knowledge will be built on: (1) understanding how to design and configure L40 processes, (2) studying how L40 is diffused in practice and what role company size has in the diffusion of the fourth industrial paradigm for logistics, and (3) understanding how to integrate L40 in logistics processes by developing and studying real-life applications. The results are formalized in a collection of four papers (three journal papers and one conference paper). This thesis shows that an “L40 process” is an evolutionary concept that should include three main principles: the automation of physical tasks and data collection, the integration of data among related processes and actors, and intelligent data analysis supporting decision-making and process improvement. It also proves that the diffusion of L40 is an ongoing process, and that size affects the way companies are shaping their transformation path. Besides, by developing two applications of L40 for logistics, this thesis highlights the integrated design of process and technology as a key aspect to successfully adopting L40 and it offers insights into the quantification of L40 benefits in logistics. Results offer both academic and practical implications. From a theoretical perspective, this study is one of the first research focusing on how the 4.0 concepts can be defined and applied in logistics processes. It also contributes to clarifying the L40 diffusion rate by offering empirical evidence and advancing the debate around the role of company size in determining organization innovativeness. From a practical viewpoint, this thesis clarifies the meaning of L40 and offers insights into how to design and manage the L40 transition process. Ready-to-use instruments that can support managers and workers in their day-by-day activities are also offered.| File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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https://hdl.handle.net/10589/201559