IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/rbs/ijbrss/v14y2025i3p18-29.html

Impact of automated picking systems on operational efficiency in South Africa’s manufacturing warehouses

Author

Listed:
  • Tshepo Mabotja

    (University of Kwazulu Natal)

Abstract

The study seeks to examine the determinants affecting warehouse performance, emphasising the impact of warehouse management systems on improving the worldwide competitiveness of South African steel manufacturing firms. It aims to underscore the difficulties in existing procedures and the strategic significance of proficient warehouse management. The study utilised a qualitative methodology to examine warehouse management methods in South African steel manufacturing firms. Data was gathered via structured interviews and questionnaires to ascertain current management system frameworks, picking methodologies, and the incorporation of automated solutions. The results indicate that the majority of South African steel manufacturers employ non-automated and non-integrated warehouse management systems. A notable deficiency in formal picking systems and zone picking was seen, leading to inefficient operations, excessive moves, and a failure to attain a competitive advantage in the worldwide market. The report emphasises a widespread undervaluation of warehouse management's strategic importance by senior management in enhancing manufacturing competitiveness. This report emphasises the necessity for South African steel manufacturing firms to implement integrated and automated warehouse management systems to optimise processes and improve global competitiveness. The enhancement of warehouse operations, particularly through the adoption of formal picking methods, could markedly diminish operational inefficiencies and elevate consumer satisfaction. This study offers significant insights into the constraints of existing warehouse management procedures in South Africa's steel manufacturing industry. By pinpointing particular obstacles and opportunities for enhancement, it provides actionable recommendations for utilising warehouse management as a competitive edge in the global marketplace. Key Words:Zone picking, Warehousing, Manufacturing, Picking systems, Supply chain management

Suggested Citation

  • Tshepo Mabotja, 2025. "Impact of automated picking systems on operational efficiency in South Africa’s manufacturing warehouses," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 14(3), pages 18-29, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:rbs:ijbrss:v:14:y:2025:i:3:p:18-29
    DOI: 10.20525/ijrbs.v14i3.3853
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.ssbfnet.com/ojs/index.php/ijrbs/article/view/3853/2742
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v14i3.3853
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.20525/ijrbs.v14i3.3853?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Alexandros Pasparakis & Jelle De Vries & René De Koster, 2023. "Assessing the impact of human–robot collaborative order picking systems on warehouse workers," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 61(22), pages 7776-7790, November.
    2. Winkelhaus, Sven & Zhang, Minqi & Grosse, E. H. & Glock, C. H., 2022. "Hybrid order picking: A simulation model of a joint manual and autonomous order picking system," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 131493, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    3. Yasmeen Jaghbeer & Robin Hanson & Mats Ingemar Johansson, 2020. "Automated order picking systems and the links between design and performance: a systematic literature review," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(15), pages 4489-4505, July.
    4. van Gils, Teun & Ramaekers, Katrien & Caris, An & de Koster, René B.M., 2018. "Designing efficient order picking systems by combining planning problems: State-of-the-art classification and review," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 267(1), pages 1-15.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jiang, Min & Huang, George Q., 2022. "Intralogistics synchronization in robotic forward-reserve warehouses for e-commerce last-mile delivery," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    2. Lam, H.Y. & Ho, G.T.S. & Mo, Daniel Y. & Tang, Valerie, 2023. "Responsive pick face replenishment strategy for stock allocation to fulfil e-commerce order," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    3. Kaibo Liang & Li Zhou & Jianglong Yang & Huwei Liu & Yakun Li & Fengmei Jing & Man Shan & Jin Yang, 2023. "Research on a Dynamic Task Update Assignment Strategy Based on a “Parts to Picker” Picking System," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-29, March.
    4. Dragan Djurdjević & Nenad Bjelić & Dražen Popović & Milan Andrejić, 2022. "A Combined Dynamic Programming and Simulation Approach to the Sizing of the Low-Level Order-Picking Area," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(20), pages 1-23, October.
    5. Heiko Diefenbach & Simon Emde & Christoph H. Glock & Eric H. Grosse, 2022. "New solution procedures for the order picker routing problem in U-shaped pick areas with a movable depot," OR Spectrum: Quantitative Approaches in Management, Springer;Gesellschaft für Operations Research e.V., vol. 44(2), pages 535-573, June.
    6. Koreis, Jonas & Loske, Dominic & Klumpp, Matthias & Glock, Christoph H., 2025. "We belong together - A system-level investigation regarding AGV-assisted order picking performance," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    7. Massimo Bertolini & Davide Mezzogori & Francesco Zammori, 2023. "Enhancing Manual Order Picking through a New Metaheuristic, Based on Particle Swarm Optimization," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(14), pages 1-37, July.
    8. Yang, Xiying & Hua, Guowei & Zhang, Li & Cheng, Tai Chiu Edwin & Choi, Tsan-Ming, 2025. "Joint optimization of order- and rack-scheduling in KIVA picking systems," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    9. Maria A. M. Trindade & Paulo S. A. Sousa & Maria R. A. Moreira, 2021. "Defining a storage-assignment strategy for precedence-constrained order picking," Operations Research and Decisions, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Management, vol. 31(2), pages 146-160.
    10. Nilendra Singh Pawar & Subir S. Rao & Gajendra K. Adil, 2024. "Improving Order-Picking Performance in E-Commerce Warehouses through Entropy-Based Hierarchical Scattering," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-27, July.
    11. Bock, Stefan & Bomsdorf, Stefan & Boysen, Nils & Schneider, Michael, 2025. "A survey on the Traveling Salesman Problem and its variants in a warehousing context," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 322(1), pages 1-14.
    12. Lennart Baardman & Kees Jan Roodbergen & Héctor J. Carlo & Albert H. Schrotenboer, 2021. "A Special Case of the Multiple Traveling Salesmen Problem in End-of-Aisle Picking Systems," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 55(5), pages 1151-1169, September.
    13. van Gils, Teun & Ramaekers, Katrien & Braekers, Kris & Depaire, Benoît & Caris, An, 2018. "Increasing order picking efficiency by integrating storage, batching, zone picking, and routing policy decisions," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 197(C), pages 243-261.
    14. Chung, Sai-Ho & Zhang, Qing & Ma, Hoi-Lam & Sun, Yige, 2025. "Combat to utilize unused baggage space for air cargo transportation: Importance of synchronizing human and autonomous delivery vehicles☆," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    15. Maria A. M. Trindade & Paulo S. A. Sousa & Maria R. A. Moreira, 2022. "Ramping up a heuristic procedure for storage location assignment problem with precedence constraints," Flexible Services and Manufacturing Journal, Springer, vol. 34(3), pages 646-669, September.
    16. André Hessenius & Christian Manz & Stefan Irnich, 2025. "Benders Decomposition using Core-Maximal Cuts and Its Application to the Single-Picker Routing Problem with Scattered Storage," Working Papers 2511, Gutenberg School of Management and Economics, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz.
    17. Katrin Heßler & Stefan Irnich, 2024. "Exact Solution of the Single-Picker Routing Problem with Scattered Storage," INFORMS Journal on Computing, INFORMS, vol. 36(6), pages 1417-1435, December.
    18. Silva, Allyson & Coelho, Leandro C. & Darvish, Maryam & Renaud, Jacques, 2020. "Integrating storage location and order picking problems in warehouse planning," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    19. Zhuang, Yanling & Zhou, Yun & Yuan, Yufei & Hu, Xiangpei & Hassini, Elkafi, 2022. "Order picking optimization with rack-moving mobile robots and multiple workstations," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 300(2), pages 527-544.
    20. Zhuang, Yanling & Zhou, Yun & Hassini, Elkafi & Yuan, Yufei & Hu, Xiangpei, 2024. "Improving order picking efficiency through storage assignment optimization in robotic mobile fulfillment systems," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 316(2), pages 718-732.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:rbs:ijbrss:v:14:y:2025:i:3:p:18-29. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Umit Hacioglu (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://edirc.repec.org/data/ssbffea.html .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.