1.0 Introduction
Production operation will highly be hampered if the stores functions are not properly and effectively carried out. The basic stores functions is that of holding stock, thus, the need for proper stock control an becomes imperative.Stock control in an organization involves activities designed towards the effective management and control of all inventory items held in stock.
Stock control can be further defined as “a means by which materials of the correct quantity and quality is made available as and when required, with due regard to economy in storage and ordering costs, purchase prices and working capital” from the above definition, it could be deduced that stock control is a system aimed at maintaining a balance flow of materials by properly arranging, in a continuous basis, receipts and issues so that at any given time, the stock balances are adequate to meet current operational requirement.
Stock control, however, involves the actual implementation and carrying out policies which management has established to regulate and maintain adequate stock balance without excess or deficiencies.
1.1 Background Of The Study
It an exaggeration to say that stock control is an important exercise in which every organization that wants to be successful must embark on.
This issue stock control is not restricted only to business sectors and is no longer a new exercise for it has been as old as mankind.
As life is important to mankind, so also stock is important to every organization.
More so, materials or item are life-blood of any organization. With regards to this Obuseh (2006), noted that the manage materials is to manager the life of an organization. There is no adequate management of stock to have this; there must be a need for proper stock control in every organization. Due to the fact that a wide ranger of materials are held in the storehouse, the store keeper must be conversant with and have a good working knowledge of a great number of materials kept under his control.
The process of stock control involves a careful study of the materials that could be held in stock and the establishment of adequate stock levels for the materials. It also involves monitoring the inflow and outflow of materials into and out from the storehouse, setting the re-order quantities with due regard to lead time, the consumption rate, the acquisition and holding cost so that minimum investment in inventory is ensured. Therefore, it is important for every organization to establish a good stock control system if success is their target.
1.2 Statement Of The Problem
The need for effective stock control in an organization is so vital in booth large and small firm, upon the need for effective stock control, the researcher in carrying out this research work, where It can be to identify some problems that hinders the progress or smooth control of stock in an organization.
Some of these problems are identify below.
- Professionals are not engaged in the handling of stock control in most organization.
- Most staff currently employed to handle stock control do not have the necessary skills and experience required.
- Most organization does not see stock control as very important.
- In most cases the functions of stock control is placed in a section outside the materials oriented functions.
- Finally there is no willingness on the part of material people to fully take charge of these important functions.
1.3 Aim and Objectives Of The Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Need for Effective Stock Control in a Manufacturing Organization. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To investigate whether professionals are used or not in the handling of stock control function.
- To examine the skills and experience of those who are engaged in handling of stock control so as to determine how experienced they are and their ability to meet the challenges of modern stock control.
- To find out whether all organizations realized the importance of stock control in the management o their inventory.
- To examine the position of stock control in firms organizational structure, so as to determine whether the current position effect the performance of stock control positively or negatively.
- To find out the readiness or otherwise of materials people to carry out their functions independently.
- Finally, to suggest ways of improving stock control in organizations.
1.4 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What are the costs involved in holding stock?
- Why do the organizations hold stock?
- If holding stock is so expensive, why do it?
- Why not simply rely on a delivery of stock?
- What do you understand by stocks?
- Why do films maintain them?
- Before materials are received into stock, such must be inspected and necessary quality test are carried out. Of what importance is this inspection/quality test to organizations?
- Explain the basic concept of stock control.
- What are the characteristics of a good stock control system?
- To what extent does stock control affects the profitability of the organizations?
1.5 The Significance Of The Study
The study is essential to basically thee groups of people viz:
- To the Researcher:
It is a requirement for the award of Diploma / Degree in purchasing and supply, without it researcher will not be awarded with the certificate. Again it has served as a learning process because it has enabled you to acquire skills on how to carry out similar study in the future.
- To Other Students:
This work when completed will serve as a reference material for those who may be faced with similar work in the future.
- To the industry:
This work when completed will help to create the required awareness that results to positive steps with regards to the subject mater of this study. Also it will serve as a standard to measure that the performance of firms with regards to the subject matter of this work which will cause firms to take corrective measures.
1.6 Scope Of The Study
The scope of this research is focused on the Need for Effective Stock Control in a Manufacturing Organization.
This study would be take the researcher to all firm that buy and stock items in the country, but for the fact that the researcher us a student with so many assignment and examinations to partake, the researcher decided to concentrate on full firm in Owerri and whatever findings made will be seen as the general situation in all firms in the country.
1.7 The Limitation Of The Study
During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:
- Time Constraint:
The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Financial Constraint:
Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
- Initial Cooperation Delay from Respondents:
A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.
1.8 Definition Of Terms
(a) Ethical Conduct:
According to Lyons (1981:198) ethics is defined as a science of conduct. Conduct in this context means conscious and purposeful action or action directed to an end.
(b) Bin Card:
This is only form of written record kept in the store room, and usually fastened to front of each bin or rack. It contains relevant information about items for easy identification such as part number, names. The body of the card carries space for recording addition and withdrawals of items.
(c) Maximum Stock Level:
Maximum stock level is that level of stock whereby stocks are not allowed to rise above. In facing this level, certain factors should be put into consideration.
These are
- Rate of consumption of materials
- Risk of obsolescence
- Reliability of supplier
- Time of new deliveries
- Storage space available.
(d) Minimum Stock Level:
The minimum stock level is the level below which stocks should not normally allowed to fall. Stocks out may result if stocks go below this level and this may result in turn in description of production.
(e) The Reorder Level:
This is the level between maximum and minimum stock level. It is a level whereby fresh orders are placed. The factors that affect the ordering level include.
- The consumption rate
- The lead time
- The minimum level and
- The reliability suppliers
(f) Buffer or Safety Stock:
This is not a stock level of the store manager take cognizance of this so as to completely avoid a situation of stock out. It serves as an insurance against late delivery and shortage of materials.
(g) Hastening Stock Level:
Most organization finds it necessary to fix this level, which is between the re-order level and minimum level. When this level is reached, it signal that hastening action is necessary to cause suppliers to make delivery on the agreed date bearing in mind the danger of running out of stock. It is the level at which the store keeper informs the progress clerks or expedition of the need for early delivery of ordered materials.
(h) Review of Stock Levels:
After the stock levels have been established, there is always the need for proper periodic review of these levels because of changes in both internal and external environment within which business is operated.
This review could be done at such intervals as weekly, quarterly etc. and adjustments made to be in line with prevailing circumstances. A stock level held for a long period of time without review might become out of place and not relevant or rather misleading in terms using its decision.
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