Putting head-worn displays to use for order picking: a most-similar comparative case study
The International Journal of Logistics Management
ISSN: 0957-4093
Article publication date: 24 May 2022
Issue publication date: 25 August 2023
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to identify why warehouses do or do not succeed in putting to use digital technologies for order picking.
Design/methodology/approach
Building on structuration theory, the authors investigate the situated use of one such a digital technology, more particularly the head-worn display (HWD). Based on a most-similar comparative case study of two Belgian warehouses pioneering HWDs, the authors focus on whether and how order pickers and their manager interact to modify the properties, functionalities, and the context in which the HWD is used.
Findings
In one warehouse, using the HWD was discontinued after implementation. In the other, order pickers and the order pickers' manager succeeded in implementing the HWD into their work. The authors find that the prime explanation for these opposite findings lies in the extent to which order pickers were given room to improve the properties and functionalities of the HWD as well as the conditions that unfold in the HWD's use context. In the latter warehouse, pressing issues were overcome and improvement suggestions were implemented, both regarding the HWD itself as well as regarding the job-related and person-related conditions.
Originality/value
Theoretically, the authors contribute to the situated use of technology stating that (1) giving room to alter the use of digital technologies, and (2) fostering continuous employee participation regarding conditions stemming from the use context are necessary to realize the promising and unexploited potential of digital technology in practice. Empirically, this paper exposes distinct types of interactions that explain whether and how digital technologies, in particular HWDs, are put to use for order picking practices.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Jeroen Weermeijer for his comments on earlier drafts of this paper.
Funding: This study has been funded by the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), grant S006018N.
Citation
Bal, M., Vermeerbergen, L. and Benders, J. (2023), "Putting head-worn displays to use for order picking: a most-similar comparative case study", The International Journal of Logistics Management, Vol. 34 No. 5, pp. 1475-1499. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLM-12-2021-0570
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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