Agile Arbeitsorganisation in der Intralogistik – Die Bedeutung agiler Methoden, Praktiken und Tools für die Reaktionsfähigkeit in der Intralogistik aus der Perspektive von Blue-Collar-Beschäftigten in Schweizer Industrie- und Handelsunternehmen

In increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) environments, intralogistics, defined as the internal organisation and control of material and information flows within company boundaries, has become a key driver of operational performance and competitive differentiation. Yet, how agile methods, practices and tools, largely developed for knowledge-intensive white-collar contexts, can be adapted to physically bound, takt-driven blue-collar settings remains unclear.

This thesis examines whether and how agile approaches can enhance responsiveness, defined as the ability of intralogistics systems to react effectively to demand fluctuations, process disturbances or supply variations, from the perspective of blue-collar workers in Swiss industrial and retail companies. The overarching aim is to identify key agile methods, practices and tools relevant to the work organisation of blue-collar intralogistics and their potential to strengthen responsiveness from the perspective of blue-collar employees, addressed through four objectives: (1) to delineate and classify blue-collar intralogistics activities, (2) to identify and refine determinants of responsiveness, (3) to inventory relevant agile methods, practices and tools, and (4) to explain how selected agile approaches influence the mechanisms that drive responsiveness.

A multi-method design, preceded by a systematic literature review, combines theoretical groundwork with 23 expert interviews in the German-speaking region of Switzerland. The findings, derived from qualitative content analysis, are synthesised into design-oriented, practice-ready recommendations. A key output is a “responsiveness toolbox” translating adapted agile practices into actionable, measurable and sustainable solutions.

These contributions consolidate the four research objectives into three coherent result areas. The study delivers: (1) a clarified taxonomy of blue-collar intralogistics work, (2) a refined framework of responsiveness determinants such as capacity flexibility, information flow and task coordination, and (3) an evidence-based portfolio of agile micro-practices, including adapted daily standups, visual flow control (Kanban), lightweight performance feedback and tandem-shift arrangements.

This thesis builds a theoretical bridge between research on agile organisations and intralogistics by grounding agile concepts in the constraints and affordances of blue-collar work. Practically, it offers structured, blue-collar-specific guidance for implementing, measuring and sustaining agile work organisation in Swiss industrial and retail companies, supporting operational performance, workforce acceptance and adaptability amid advancing automation and digitalization.