INVENTORY MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL: A STRATEGY FOR EFFECTIVE PRODUCTION (A CASE STUDY OF NIGERIA BOTTLING COMPANY PLC)

CHAPTER ONE

1.1. BACKGROUND OF STUDY

It is generally accepted that the primary objective of most business enterprise is to make profit by identifying and serving the needs of customers. Thus, profit being the principal source of growth and continue existence of the business enterprise, serves as and index by which the performance of an enterprise can be evaluated over time.

In manufacturing Organizations, profit maximization is made possible through sale promotion, production of high quality products and effective control of inventory. Inventory constitutes a significant part of product cost. According to Okoye A.E. (1997) inventory constitutes over sixty percent of the cost of production. In view of this, inventory management and control is important in a manufacturing organization.

Effective production relate to the process of identifying the needs of customer and delivery goods or services to meet their needs. Control of inventory enable manufacturing Organization to keep stock; inventory that are necessary to satisfy the needs of customers and have a balance between maximum and minimum stock level.

If production and delivery of goods could be instantaneous, there would no need for inventory except as a safe guard against price changes. Despite the achievements of computers, automation and scientific management.

Inventory control is necessary from the time orders are placed for material to the time they are consumed. The importance of inventory control lies in the fact that any saving made in reducing the cost of production, improves profitability of the business. In a competitive business environment, inventory control in the long run determines not only the growth but also the survival of the business Organization.

Trends in the global business environment indicate that most manufacturing organization have continued to experience negative fortunes in their business. This is often traceable largely to poor or lack of inventory control, low quality products, ineffective sales production etc.

Inventory control is therefore the method of ensuring that the right quality and quantity of the relevant stock is available at the right time and at right places. The stock can be raw materials, work in progress or finished goods awaiting dispatch.

Inventory control requires a thorough knowledge and wisdom to decide what, how and why holding a particular stock.

1.2. STATEMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

Trends in the global business environment indicate that most manufacturing organizations have continued to experience negative sale promotion, low quality products, inefficient management team and poor inventory control. Poor inventory control usually leads to a number of critical problems which affect ultimately the continue existence and survival of business organizations.

It is in the light of these ugly trends which are occasioned by poor inventory control that the study is design to seek tentative answers to the following research questions;

1. How cost associated with inventory can be reduced?
2.  What quantity of inventory will be sufficient for effective production?
3. How effective are the methods adopted for the control of inventory?

1.3. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The study is intended to achieve the following aims

1. To find out how cost associated with inventory can be reduced.
2. To examine the level of inventory that be sufficient for effective operation
3. To investigate and evaluate the effectiveness of the methods used in the management of inventory
4. Make recommendation in the light of findings from the above objectives.

1.4. SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study is directed at manufacturing sector, but the focus is on Nigerian Bottling Company Plc, because of the impossibility of reaching all manufacturing companies in Edo state.  

This research work is an exploratory one, which seek to evaluate the effectiveness of Nigerian Bottling company inventory management.

The work will be based largely on empirical evidence on the analysis of data of inventory control for eight-year period (2001-2008) in Nigerian Bottling Company. It will also involve a study of the general practice of inventory control method adopted in the company.

1.5. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Inventory management problems are prevalent in most Nigerian manufacturing concerns or entities. Ineffective management and control can result in a serious problem. A study of this type is justified when one consider the fact that if inventory are poorly managed, it is likely to cause delay in production, customers dissatisfaction, lack of goodwill and addition to this, the working capital of the organization will be affected negatively.

Moreso, the study is relevant as it helps to balance conflicting objectives such as those associated with stock out and overstocking problem. However, it is hope that the findings and recommendations will assist the Nigerian Bottling Company to understand the implications of their present inventory management system and formulate strategies to improve their inventory system for better performance.

1.6. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

For the purpose of this study, the following hypotheses which have been formulated,  

i.      Null Hypothesis (Ho): inefficient inventory management does not have effect on the performance of Nigeria Bottling company Plc.

ii.     Alternative Hypothesis (Hi): inefficient inventory management do have effect on the performance of Nigeria Bottling Company Plc.

1.7. THE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The study will make use of questionnaire designed to collect necessary information with respect to the inventory system of Nigerian Bottling Company Plc.

The questionnaire will be formal and structured to explain the reasons for the information sought and encourage its disclosure. In addition to the questionnaire, oral interview will be conducted with appropriate employees of Nigeria Bottling Company.

The production process will be observed to see the flow of goods in the conversion process. Materials handing and inspection procedures will also be observed.

Secondary data will also be obtained from Nigerian Bottling Company Plc, the Library, textbooks and journals will be exploited.

1.8. LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

In a study of this nature, there are bound to be some impediment, this study is not an exception. The following have been the most militating factors.

1. The limited time schedule for the completion of this project is too short to carry out an intensive and exciting study of this nature.
2.  Confidentially of information: Business entities normally considered research as a stranger, hence access to certain information was difficult.
3. The extent to which the employees of the organizations shall be willing to complete the questionnaire administered to them and the importance they attached to the study.