Automating Logistics Operations: Qualitative Insights from Four European Sites

Guglielmo Papagni (), Setareh Zafari, Johann Schrammel and Manfred Tscheligi
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Guglielmo Papagni: Center for Technology Experience, Austrian Institute of Technology, 1210 Vienna, Austria
Setareh Zafari: Center for Technology Experience, Austrian Institute of Technology, 1210 Vienna, Austria
Johann Schrammel: Center for Technology Experience, Austrian Institute of Technology, 1210 Vienna, Austria
Manfred Tscheligi: Center for Technology Experience, Austrian Institute of Technology, 1210 Vienna, Austria

Logistics, 2024, vol. 8, issue 4, 1-21

Abstract: Background: Automated vehicles are increasingly entering logistics operations, driven by factors like controllability, standardization, and reduced risk. However, successful automation requires understanding the diverse perspectives of logistics stakeholders. Method: This paper investigates these perspectives through 28 interviews with representatives from five key stakeholder groups within the European Project AWARD’s four pilot sites. Results: Key findings highlight positive expectations for efficiency, safety, and reliability, but also identify critical prerequisites still to be met: further technological advancements, shifts in logistics roles and working conditions, regulatory improvements, and careful narrative building around technology. Conclusions: A deeper analysis of individual stakeholder groups and pilot site representatives reveals nuanced needs and concerns, emphasizing the importance of considering different perspectives and need for further research involving a wider range of stakeholder groups to fully capture the complexities of this emerging field.

Keywords: automated logistics; automated vehicles; user study; stakeholders’ analysis; qualitative research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L8 L80 L81 L86 L87 L9 L90 L91 L92 L93 L98 L99 M1 M10 M11 M16 M19 R4 R40 R41 R49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlogis:v:8:y:2024:i:4:p:114-:d:1516544

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