ERIC Number: EJ1487562
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Oct
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1540-4595
EISSN: EISSN-1540-4609
Available Date: 2025-09-05
Learning Factory in Logistics: Evaluation of the Effects of a Hands-On Experience for Automated Warehouse Processes
Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education, v23 n4 e70015 2025
In recent years, automated warehouses have become increasingly important to meet the rising demand of supply chain operations. Despite their growing relevance to industry, these systems remain largely underrepresented in academic settings, which contributes to a significant gap in student knowledge and preparedness. Traditional educational approaches often fail to equip future professionals with the practical skills required by modern logistics systems. While the learning factory paradigm partially addresses this gap, it typically places limited emphasis on logistics processes. To bridge this divide between theory and industrial practice, a hands-on learning experience was conducted in a logistics-focused learning factory involving Bachelor's and Master's engineering students. A structured questionnaire was administered to evaluate students' perceptions of automated warehouses, and statistical methods were employed to analyze both the short- and medium-term impacts of the experience. Findings revealed a strong interest among students in industrial logistics, despite limited prior exposure to automation technologies. Consistent with previous research, the hands-on approach was particularly effective for Master's students, highlighting its potential as a valuable educational tool in logistics engineering.
Descriptors: Experiential Learning, Business Education, Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Student Attitudes, Automation, Facilities, Storage, Engineering Education, Instructional Effectiveness
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1Department of Management and Production Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Torino, Italy

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