Anna Granlund

AUTOMATION IN HEALTHCARE INTERNAL LOGISTICS: A CASE STUDY ON PRACTICE AND POTENTIAL

The current demographic development puts even greater demands on the healthcare sector which is already struggling with scarce resources and constant pressure of cost reductions. This paper, through multiple case studies, aims to describe how automation of hospital internal logistics can be a tool in improving efficiency. The results include several potential implementations for patient transports, waste handling and small goods transports. However, organizational issues as lack of ownership and a strategic view render difficulties and need to be dealt with. The authors conclude that transfer of knowledge and technology used in the manufacturing industry would be beneficial.

Managing Automation Development Projects: A Comparison of Industrial Needs and Existing Theoretical Support

The use of automation can increase competitiveness but does not guarantee advantageous results. The right choice of technology and correct implementation and use is the key to a successful outcome. This in turn puts great demands on how automation development projects are managed. The aim of this paper is to make a comparison between industrial needs and existing theoretical support associated with managing automation development projects. Through a multiple case study, challenges and success factors related to managing automation projects have been identified. The empirical findings are compared with automation development support found in literature. The results from the empirical study indicate the need for improved process models and clear strategy connected to automation development. The importance of an overall view and planning during automation projects is highlighted as a success factor while difficulties in collaborating with third parties is identified as existing challenges. It is concluded that the support in literature deals with many of the identified challenges and success factors and offers some support for specific parts of the automation development project. There is however still need for an overall framework connecting existing theoretical support, and suggesting how strategy can be connected to the process of developing automation.

Automation in internal logistics: strategic and operational challenges

Automation in internal logistics is an enabler to increase overall competitiveness in an organisation. However, its use is currently limited. The main objective of this paper is to highlight the ex ...

Automation and Flexibility: An Apparent or Real Dilemma?

There are trade-offs between cost and capabilities throughout specification, implementation and operation of automated solutions in manufacturing companies. This chapter describes four identified dilemmas or contradictions while balancing flexibility to automation, based on an empirical study with interviews and workshop in five internationally competitive manufacturing companies. The study generated insights on experienced challenges while implementing automated solutions in manufacturing, and these apparent conflicts between automated solutions and maintaining a high operational flexibility need to be managed as manufacturing automation will continue to increase on all levels.