A study conducted by Dr. Thomas De Lombaert at Hasselt University (UHasselt) reveals that warehouse employees who can choose their own tasks report higher job satisfaction and motivation without losing efficiency.
During his doctoral research within UHasselt’s Logistics research group, De Lombaert developed a technology that allows order pickers to select the tasks they prefer, rather than being fully directed by computer systems. Over several weeks, the study tracked employee performance, physical workload, and mental well-being through surveys and interviews.
Results showed that giving employees more autonomy increased job satisfaction by 21% and motivation by 16%, while maintaining productivity. A follow-up lab study in Rotterdam confirmed these findings.
“The positive results demonstrate that offering choice can improve mental well-being and engagement in repetitive tasks,” said De Lombaert. Researchers also suggest that this approach could benefit other sectors, such as healthcare and manufacturing.
Source: Hasselt University
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