The Impact of Logistics 4.0 on Performance in Manufacturing Companies: A Pilot Study

The application of Industry 4.0 technologies and technological concepts to logistics processes is termed ‘Logistics 4.0’. However, most of the recent Logistics 4.0 studies are conceptual or theoretical and, therefore, miss an empirical validation of the proposed causal effects on logistics performance, especially in manufacturing companies. By conducting a pilot study in Central Europe, this paper investigates the relationship between Logistics 4.0 concepts and technologies and logistics performance indicators in manufacturing enterprises. As a result, the implementation of smart and lean concepts has a major impact on logistics performance, whereas information and communication technologies, as well as autonomous logistics systems and vehicles, are not completely implemented and exploited yet. The causal model, therefore, was validated in a first step and will be extended by resilience and sustainability output indicators and revalidated in a larger field study in future research attempts.