Are AI applications a cost saving solution in warehousing for big companies alone?

Abstract

This study investigates the evolution of warehousing theory in the last 40 years to try to understand better the current state of the industry and what has allowed the companies to arrive at the turning point that they are today. A series of expert interviews were conducted to assess not only the intentions of companies to invest in new technologies but also their understanding of the capabilities and use scenarios of these new technologies. This study did not discriminate companies by industry or country to try to get a generic vision within the European Union of what might be the motivators and limiting factors of the modernization and implementation of industry 4.0 in warehousing. It was concluded that for AI applications, the scale of the business did not matter but what is currently preventing integration of these systems is a limited understanding of those same systems combined with a large misunderstanding of what automation can look like. This study is relevant since it not only shows companies that training their warehouse managers in new technologies might bring more efficient and integrated operations to their supply chain but also that companies providing these services have a big market opportunity since managers desire these new products but do not have any knowledge of providers or their functioning.

Date of Award	21 Oct 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Fabienne Fel (Supervisor)