Abstract
Abstract : This study investigates the effectiveness of business logistics systems, focussing on the inventory management system at a South African tobacco manufacturing company, herein after referred to as ‘Tobacco Manufacturer’. Challenges encountered at Tobacco Manufacturer concerning inventory management, includes inventory-outs, misaligned stock levels, causing difficulties tracking and monitoring stock movement. The research develops research objections and questions, addressing these challenges. This study is a qualitative research, following a case study approach. It is conducted in one organisation. The study uses an open-ended questionnaire and a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire for data collection. The interviews are conducted through face-to-face meetings. A scheduled meeting appointment, using Microsoft Outlook email, is used to contact possible participants. The established questionnaire is pre-tested through a submission at the Ethical Department at the University of Johannesburg. This research uses purposive sampling, with 12 participants of the supply chain, procurement, warehouse, production, planning and scheduling. A recording instrument is used during the face-to-face interviews. Data analysis involves coding and statistical graph tabulation. Participants signify executive managers, managers and non-managers, with an age range of below 30 to above 50. The study reveals that Tobacco Manufacturer uses both pull and push systems, dependent on whether it is a domestic or an export order. TM is a company, still in denial of Industry 4.0. The company subsequently, conquered challenges of overutilization and underutilisation with the ‘push system’ for domestic supply.
M.Phil. (Engineering Management)