A Survey-Based Path Model of Digital Warehouse Control, Spatial Material Flow, and Sustainable Inventory Efficiency with an Applied-Physics Validation Framework
Kencana Verawati 1 , Mohd. Faizal Bin Sulaiman 2, Wini Rossa Dewi 1, Taufan Prasetyo Putra1, and Anthony Costa 3

1 Port Management and Maritime Logistics, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Jl. Rawamangun Muka Raya, Rawamangun, Kota Jakarta Timur, Daerah Khusus Ibu Kota Jakarta 13320.
2 School of Transportation & Logistics, Malaysia University of Science and Technology (MUST), Block B, Encorp Strand Garden Office, No. 12, Jalan PJU 5/1, Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia, 47810
3 Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sriwijaya, Jalan Raya Palembang - Prabumulih KM. 32, Indralaya Indah, Ogan Ilir, Sumatra Selatan, 30662

Abstract

This research interprets warehouse operations as a constrained physical-digital material-flow system and analyses how digital warehouse control (DWC) and spatial material flow (SMF) affect sustainable inventory efficiency (SIE). Material-flow delivery performance (MFDP) is retained as the operational mediating mechanism because it represents the reliability of flow execution between storage nodes and delivery destinations. A quantitative survey involved 45 respondents selected using Slovin^s formula. Questionnaire, observation, interview, and secondary record data were analyzed using path analysis and the Sobel mediation test in SPSS. DWC significantly affects SIE (&#946- = 0.385- p = 0.006), while SMF has no significant direct effect (&#946- = 0.034- p = 0.816). MFDP has the strongest direct effect on SIE (&#946- = 0.513- p = 0.000), and the model explains 74.8% of the variance. MFDP mediates the effects of DWC (p = 0.034) and SMF (p = 0.004) on SIE. The novelty lies in a statistically grounded physical-digital material-flow model that links survey-based operational constructs with measurable physical quantities for future sensor-based validation, showing that spatial flow configuration becomes operationally effective when it improves delivery execution. Sensor-based validation of distance, time, average travel speed, localization error, and energy is proposed for subsequent experiments.

Keywords: digital technology, warehouse management system, material layout, material delivery performance, sustainable inventory management.

Topic: Applied Technology in Physics