Employees' perspective on Logistics 4.0 and smart warehouse systems: A company practice in the energy sector employees'

Industry 4.0 is accepted as a revolution that has influenced every aspect of life. Industry 4.0 is actively used in many units of businesses such as management, production, purchasing, logistics and warehouse. In today's businesses, warehouses have become distribution centers that provide services in order to respond to customers' demands and requests more quickly, apart from the areas where raw materials, finished products and semi-finished products are kept. With Logistics 4.0, which has developed due to the Industry 4.0 revolution, retailers, an important branch of the supply chain, have begun to lose their importance. In future plans within the scope of Logistics 4.0, retailers are being replaced by warehouses that provide distribution services. It has become essential for businesses to use smart warehouse systems offered by Industry 4.0 technology in order to effectively manage their finished product, semi-finished product and raw material stocks, increase their production capacity, deliver their products to customers on time and ensure maximum efficiency. Effective management of warehouses plays a key role in helping businesses gain a competitive advantage. In the study, issues such as the historical development of the industry, how the Industry 4.0 revolution affects the logistics sector, the advantages and disadvantages of Industry 4.0 after the use of smart warehouse systems components depending on the development and change of the logistics sector are discussed. This study aims to reveal the perspectives of energy sector employees towards Logistics 4.0 and smart warehouse systems. In line with this scope, in the study, face-to-face interviews were conducted by the researcher, on a voluntary basis, with 22 warehouse employees of a company in the energy sector, in order to understand the employees' perspectives on Logistics 4.0 and smart warehouse systems. The results obtained from the interviews were subjected to descriptive analysis. As a result of the research, it was determined that the participants' general knowledge level about Industry 4.0, Logistics 4.0 technologies and smart warehouse systems was sufficient. In addition, valuable findings were obtained on the advantages and disadvantages that will arise when these technologies are used in businesses. Participants stated that they have extensive knowledge about smart logistics technologies such as autonomous vehicles, drones, driverless forklifts, robots, internet of things and artificial intelligence. Participants' expectations for smart warehouse systems were about reducing human errors in warehouses, minimizing work accidents and the ability to take instant action. Participants have positive thoughts about the potential of these technologies to reduce human errors in warehouses, minimize work accidents, reduce personnel costs and provide fast and effective intervention in operations. In addition, difficulties such as high initial investment costs, concerns that integration into this technology may become difficult due to the inadequacy of IT infrastructure, and increasing costs due to continuous technology development also attract the attention of the participants. Warehouses are vital for the logistics and production activities of businesses. Warehouses will be equipped with automation systems offered within the scope of smart warehouse systems, thus increasing the performance and efficiency of businesses. In addition, it should not be forgotten that warehouses must be managed effectively in order to minimize the cost element, which plays a key role in providing competitive advantage for businesses, and it is important to actively use smart warehouse systems in warehouses to ensure this efficiency. This scope of work; In order for logistics 4.0 technologies and smart warehouse systems to spread to the base, government incentives, grants, support packages are provided to businesses that switch to smart warehouse systems technologies, consultancy and training services are provided by technology providers, and cooperation is established between businesses, technology providers, educational institutions and government institutions. It is recommended to develop solutions. Keywords: Energy sector, Logistics 4.0, Industry 4.0, smart warehouse systems.