Assessing the Effects of Inventory Management Practices on Performance of Small and Medium-Size Enterprises in Accra (Published)

The study investigates the effects of inventory management practices on performance of small and medium size enterprises in Accra. The study employed the purposive sampling technique to gather data from 110 staff of SME firms in Accra. The statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23 was used for data analysis. Findings of the study showed that Economic Order Quantity (EOQ), Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) and ABS analysis are the inventory management practices in the SME industry in Accra. The study also showed a significant positive relationship between inventory management practices and organizational performance. Policy implications as well as managerial and direction for future studies are discussed.

Keywords: Accra, Performance, SME, inventory management practices

Role of Technological Integration in Supply Chain Corroboration on Performance of Manufacturing Firms in Kenya (Published)

The main purpose of the paper was to assess role of technological integration on performance of manufacturing firms. The target population of the study were managers or equivalent from Six (6) departments that is Procurement, finance, legal, stores, human resource and quality control because they are directly concerned with supply chain. The study adopted the use of a questionnaire and a document analysis as the main research instrument. The study adopted both quantitative and qualitative approaches, implying that both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were employed. Quantitative data collected from the document analysis was analyzed statistically using the Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS version 22). The study tested the significance hypothesis at 95% confidence level using regression techniques. The findings on the effect of technology integration revealed that technological integration has a positive and significant effect on firm performance, 0.731, p < 0.05. Thus, technology integration as concept of supply chain collocation is key determinants of performance of manufacturing firms.   Firms are thus encouraged to invest in enhancing coordination efforts through utilization of cost-effective technologies. In addition, the investments should also be used to address the integration of technology.

Keywords: Manufacturing Firms, Performance, Supply chain collaboration, Technological Integration

The Impact of Effective Strategic Sourcing On Operational Efficiency Case of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital [Kath] (Published)

This paper examined empirically the “impact of effective strategic sourcing on operational efficiency in healthcare delivery of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). Exact survey-based research methodology was implemented to examine the research questions and Data was gathered utilizing three arrangements of polls regulated to 40 tolerant parental figures (medical caretakers, clinicians and specialists), 12 senior doctor’s facility managers, and 13 procurement officers. The concentrate plainly exhibits that strategic sourcing assumes a key part in an association’s business operations and puts more noteworthy accentuation on adding to the sourcing chief’s business capability. Incessant stock outs of drugs were affirmed, the effects of which on medicinal services delivery went from death of patients, deterioration of restorative states of patients, clinic congestion, to exchange of patients to other healing facilities. These stock outs were credited to: disappointment by a ‘legislature established supplier’ to satisfy medication requests; delays by procurement staff; and withholding of funds by donors. It is therefore suggested that a strategic movement from single sourcing to strategic sourcing keeping in mind the end goal to guarantee efficiency in operations to turn away the determined medication stock outs openly doctor’s facilities.

Keywords: KATH, Operational Efficiency, Performance, Procurement, Sourcing, Sourcing capability, Strategic Sourcing, Supply chain management

Benchmark and Competitive Analysis of Port Performances Model: Algeciras Bay, Rotterdam, New York-New Jersey and Tangier Med (Published)

In this research paper four sea ports namely, Tanger Med, Algeciras Bay, Rotterdam and New York-New Jersey has been taken into study to understand and evaluate their efficiency of operations and benchmark them. Port efficiency is the measure of amount of input and output and their ratio. Port efficiency is not solely dependent on port performance. The port performance strategies of the case ports were studied and efficiency variables were found through various literatures. To analyze input and output variables of the ports, efficiency software named Data Envelopment Analysis Program was used to find the most efficient ports. Then the variables for the most efficient ports were benchmarked and ranked. A hypothetical port efficiency model has also been suggested for better efficiency of the ports.

Keywords: Benchmark, DEA, Efficiency, Performance, Ports

Influence of Supply Chain Resilience on Performance of Categorized Hospitals in Kenya (Published)

The study sought to establish the relationship between supply chain resilience and performance of categorized hospitals in Kenya. The study sampled 264 supply chain managers from 773 hospitals offering both inpatient and outpatient services in Kenya as listed by National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF). The sampling technique was stratified random sampling based on the eight regions as identified by NHIF. The study adopted Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model to measure performance of hospitals. The study findings indicated that private hospitals had a higher DEA score compared to the public and faith based hospitals. The findings implied that private hospitals were generally efficient than other type of hospitals. Further, the study found that supply chain resilience had a positive significant relationship with performance. The study recommended the use of outsourcing, spare capacity, and use of local suppliers to mitigate against hospital operational risks.

Keywords: Hospitals, Performance, Resilience, Risks., Supply Chain

Influence of Customer Relationship on Performance of Manufacturing Firms in Kenya (Published)

The study sought to determine the influence customer relationship practices on organizational performance in the manufacturing firms in Kenya. The target population for the study was the senior staff in supply chain, operations and finance or equivalent managers in the 563 manufacturing organizations listed by Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM). The sampling technique was stratified random sampling in based on the 14 sectors as identified by KAM. The study sampled 312 respondents from 104 firms. The study found a positive significant relationship between customer relationship and performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya. Among the aspects of customer relationship that contributed highly to performance of manufacturing firms included exchange of information with customers, ensuring product visibility within the market and incorporating the views of customers in production process. The study recommended the adoption of customer relationship management practices as a way of improving and sustaining performance of organizations.

Keywords: Customer relationship, KAM, Manufacturing, Performance, Supply Chain

Role of Technological Integration in Supply Chain Corroboration on Performance of Manufacturing Firms in Kenya (Published)

The main purpose of the paper was to assess role of technological integration on performance of manufacturing firms. The target population of the study were managers or equivalent from Six (6) departments that is Procurement, finance, legal, stores, human resource and quality control because they are directly concerned with supply chain. The study adopted the use of a questionnaire and a document analysis as the main research instrument. The study adopted both quantitative and qualitative approaches, implying that both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were employed. Quantitative data collected from the document analysis was analyzed statistically using the Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS version 22). The study tested the significance hypothesis at 95% confidence level using regression techniques. The findings on the effect of technology integration revealed that technological integration has a positive and significant effect on firm performance, 0.731, p < 0.05. Thus, technology integration as concept of supply chain collocation is key determinants of performance of manufacturing firms.   Firms are thus encouraged to invest in enhancing coordination efforts through utilization of cost-effective technologies. In addition, the investments should also be used to address the integration of technology.

Keywords: Manufacturing Firms, Performance, Supply chain collaboration, Technological Integration

The Impact of Effective Strategic Sourcing On Operational Efficiency Case of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital [Kath] (Published)

This paper examined empirically the “impact of effective strategic sourcing on operational efficiency in healthcare delivery of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). Exact survey-based research methodology was implemented to examine the research questions and Data was gathered utilizing three arrangements of polls regulated to 40 tolerant parental figures (medical caretakers, clinicians and specialists), 12 senior doctor’s facility managers, and 13 procurement officers. The concentrate plainly exhibits that strategic sourcing assumes a key part in an association’s business operations and puts more noteworthy accentuation on adding to the sourcing chief’s business capability. Incessant stock outs of drugs were affirmed, the effects of which on medicinal services delivery went from death of patients, deterioration of restorative states of patients, clinic congestion, to exchange of patients to other healing facilities. These stock outs were credited to: disappointment by a ‘legislature established supplier’ to satisfy medication requests; delays by procurement staff; and withholding of funds by donors. It is therefore suggested that a strategic movement from single sourcing to strategic sourcing keeping in mind the end goal to guarantee efficiency in operations to turn away the determined medication stock outs openly doctor’s facilities.

Keywords: KATH, Operational Efficiency, Performance, Procurement, Sourcing, Sourcing capability, Strategic Sourcing, Supply chain management

Role of Strategic Sourcing On Public Procurement Performance in Kenya (Published)

The aim of strategic sourcing is to achieve large and sustainable cost reductions, long-term supply stability and minimization of supply risk. The purpose of this paper is to critically analyze the role of strategic sourcing on procurement performance in public institutions in Kenya. It has been noted that there is ineffective and non-reliable procurement procedures in public sector in Kenya, this can be attributed by the fact the there is no strategic considerations. This paper will focus on the following concepts supply management, role of IT, outsourcing and multiple sourcing strategies on procurement functions. It involved conducting a systematic review of literature papers in the field of strategic sourcing and procurement by means of content analysis to draw conclusion and recommendations. In conclusion, strategic sourcing increases an organization’s buying power to maximize the leverage it has with suppliers for the purposes of reducing cost, enhancing quality and improving supplier diversity.

Keywords: Cost Reduction, Performance, Public Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, Sustainable

Building Sustainable Organizational Capabilities through Supply Chain Innovation (Published)

Organizational performance directly affecting supply chain management practices. A continuous innovation in supply chain is important for corporations to achieve sustainable competitive advantage, to differentiate from competitors. Contemporary supply chain management stresses coordinating supply chain stakeholders into seamless unit in meeting customers demand and enhancing competitive advantage. Although companies concentrate on innovating independently for developing capabilities, companies however demonstrate reliance on creating their supply chain innovation capability. As markets became global, competition intensified. This forced the companies to innovate to be competitive and carryout holistic, fully integrated approach to their supply chain designs. This can replace traditional thinking in pursuit of effective and responsiveness supply chain. The research addresses gap in the literature between supply chain innovation and organizational capabilities. The study explore how organizations expand their efforts in improving relationships for developing capabilities of supply chain and what capabilities do firms develop to create innovation capacity within a supply chain. Companies in Karnataka, India surveyed to examine the inter relationship beteen organizational capability and supply chain innovation. The results showed that supply chain innovation has positive relationship with organizational capabilities and supply chain integration mechanisms do impact supply chain innovation.

Keywords: Capabilities, Competitive Advantage, Innovation, Performance, Supply Chain