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Managing warehouse efficiency and worker discomfort through enhanced storage assignment decisions

Author

Listed:
  • José Antonio Larco
  • René de Koster
  • Kees Jan Roodbergen
  • Jan Dul

Abstract

Humans are at the heart of crucial processes in warehouses. Besides the common economic goal of minimising cycle times, we therefore add in this paper the human well-being goal of minimising workers’ discomfort in the context of order picking. We propose a methodology for identifying the most suitable storage location solutions with respect to both goals. The first step in our methodology is to build data-driven empirical models for estimating cycle times and workers’ discomfort. The second step of the methodology entails the use of these empirically grounded models to formulate a bi-objective assignment problem for assigning products to storage locations. The developed methodology is subsequently tested on two actual warehouses. The results of these practical tests show that clear trade-offs exist and that optimising only for discomfort can be costly in terms of cycle time. Based on the results, we provide practical guidelines for taking storage assignment decisions that simultaneously address discomfort and travel distance considerations.

Suggested Citation

  • José Antonio Larco & René de Koster & Kees Jan Roodbergen & Jan Dul, 2017. "Managing warehouse efficiency and worker discomfort through enhanced storage assignment decisions," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 55(21), pages 6407-6422, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:tprsxx:v:55:y:2017:i:21:p:6407-6422
    DOI: 10.1080/00207543.2016.1165880
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Diefenbach, Heiko & Emde, Simon & Glock, Christoph H., 2020. "Loading tow trains ergonomically for just-in-time part supply," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 284(1), pages 325-344.
    2. Diefenbach, Heiko & Grosse, Eric H. & Glock, Christoph H., 2024. "Human-and-cost-centric storage assignment optimization in picker-to-parts warehouses," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 315(3), pages 1049-1068.
    3. Jiuh‐Biing Sheu & Tsan‐Ming Choi, 2023. "Can we work more safely and healthily with robot partners? A human‐friendly robot–human‐coordinated order fulfillment scheme," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 32(3), pages 794-812, March.
    4. Karolina Werner-Lewandowska & Adam Kolinski & Amadeusz Urbaniak, 2022. "The Analysis of the Effect of Motivators on the Performance of Warehouse Employees in Distribution Centers," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(1), pages 286-295.
    5. Lanza, Giacomo & Passacantando, Mauro & Scutellà, Maria Grazia, 2022. "Assigning and sequencing storage locations under a two level storage policy: Optimization model and matheuristic approaches," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    6. Xuan Zhang & Tiantian Mo & Yougong Zhang, 2023. "Optimization of Storage Location Assignment for Non-Traditional Layout Warehouses Based on the Firework Algorithm," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-21, June.
    7. Kumar, Suryakant & Sheu, Jiuh-Biing & Kundu, Tanmoy, 2023. "Planning a parts-to-picker order picking system with consideration of the impact of perceived workload," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    8. Izabela Kudelska & Rafal Niedbal, 2021. "The Impact of Organizational Change on the Improvement of the Picking Process in a Logistics Center – A Case Study," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(2B), pages 882-892.
    9. Kaveh Azadeh & René De Koster & Debjit Roy, 2019. "Robotized and Automated Warehouse Systems: Review and Recent Developments," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 53(4), pages 917-945, July.

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