Stock Control As A Management Tools For Efficient And Effective Stores Operation

GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY
Effective and efficient store operation is very closely linked with production and distribution and is a much neglected area of business study. Yet the store function is a vital part of all industrial organization public and private utility organization Federal, state and local Government organization, Armed services, and it must be designed to suit the particular needs of the organization it service.

1.1 INTRODUCTION
Having defined a store as any space reserved and equipped for holding materials which are awaiting dispatch to customers for further processing of final consumption in most organization, stores is a place where all types of equipment materials components and supplies needed for production,distribution,maintenance, packaging etc are received. Stored and issued to users. A stock control system needs to be adopted in order to ensure effective and efficient store operation.
In today’s business with competitive market, unstable economic condition, controlling of cost means the difference between profit and loss. The overall business objectives is to maximize profit margin and minimize cost of production, has led many executive to taking steps in all aspect of their business to reduce cost of materials or stocks from a major part of the total investments of an organization. This is mainly due to the fact that no matter the type of business an organization engages in, whether merchandizing or manufacturing, there must be clearly stock of materials to keep the enterprise going. A manufacturing business for instance, cannot exist without raw materials, purchased parts, intermediate parts, sub-assemblies and finished goods ready for shipment and sale.
Stock control concerns not only the individual business but effect the economy of the nation holding stock waiting for a time when they would be used in production. A said earlier it does not immobilize the capital resources, but could generate inventory. Inventory arising from reduction in stock due to a reduction in sale could stir-up a long chain of reaction affecting the whole system. Effective stock control therefore does not only help the enterprise per say, but even influence the whole profitability of the nations economic development.
I have made some attempt in delivery into books and research work done by others to get information on areas the stock controller or manager as the case may be, should be vigilant for him to effectively use stock control as a management tool for effective and efficient store operation.
The first chapter starts with the introduction after which a brief statement of problem, objective of the study, the scope of the study, it significance and also the limitation encountered by the research will be given. Chapter two delivers into the work of other researchers in the same issue known as literature review. chapter three discussed the research methodology, presentation and discussion of findings chapter four gives a data presentation and analysis of data. chapter five gives a summary of the work and conclusions. Then finally the recommendation and appendix, bioliogy and questionnaires. All these are intended to be carryout by the researcher in this work.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The need for a stock control in the contribution of an effective and efficient store operation can not be swept under the carpet. As mentioned earliest, stock comprises of raw materials components, sub-assemblies, consumable stores, general stores, maintenance materials and spares, work- in- progress and finished salable products, all those items are covered and managed effectively through the use of stock control as a tool. This therefore, raises very important problems that this work is intended to peer into. The problems include identifying the essential issues involved in stock control, how stock control can be made to work out in an organization ,what the monetary contribution of stock control really is, how to avoid an absolute redundant and surplus stock even stock out and then how it can be use as a tool in attaining the organizational objectives.
These issues and many more other issues are what I intended to find solution to during the course at this study. These might be categorized thus;
MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS; what are the things needed to make stock control won-out. What and which type of stock control technique is best suited for a particular industry.
INHERENT PROBLEMS; how can absolute redundant and surplus stock be avoided, if they can be dealt with other problems that might arises from excessive stock includes;
[1] Absorption of capital which would have been utilized in other ventures.
[2] Taking up the whole space in the warehouse or store
[3] Determination of obsolescence
[4] Interruption in production and sales.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
This research project seeks to achieve the following objectives.
[A] To find out whether stock control can control to business survival.
[B] To find out or study the modalities adopted by organizations in achieving it organizational objectives.
[C] To find out the adverse effect of non-application of stock control techniques in an organization.
[D] To find out the solution as to what to do if the organization is not able to apply stock control method for effective and efficient store operation.
[E] To find out the information and advantages of stock control in the attainment of organizational objectives.
[F] To determine the various ways by which stock control can be carried out in the attainment of organization objectives.
[G] To find out the various ways, methods and system by which stock control can be used as a tool for effective and efficient store operation.

1.4 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The scope of this study embraces all activities of the stock controller in an organization. Furthermore, t6his research project will cover how stock control as a management tool will be used in Nigeria to help the industries and organizations to attain their objectives. It will focus on ensuring that stock control is carried out as a management tool for effective and efficient store operation.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
A naira in the bank is worth two in the inventory and it usually cost more to stock too little than it does to stock too much. Stock control is an important and expensive activity which is often neglected and under rated in many organizations both in the public and private sectors.
It is an area where modern stores management techniques could be used to advantage in reducing cost and ensuring increased profitability for an organization.
In modern supply management stock control is the real control function; it comprises all the basic aims of the store operation. The basic concept of stock control is quite simply, the right material in the right quanlity,of the right quantity, at the right time and place and at the right price. The element of cost in relation to stock control also plays a vital role.
It also supplies a constant flow of material to the operation. It ensure correct quality of stock required.
The importance of this stock control has led the researcher to doing some work in the topic, this study will enable not only those in a more organized business environment but also the small enterprise with, little or no skill in the area of inventory control and management to enable them understand the contribution of inventory in achieving organizational objective.

1.6 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
So many factors militate against the researcher not be able to carry out fully the research work on the subject as it should have been done. These factors include time; the time allowed for this work was considerably short to enable me cover all the area necessary.
Additionally, the researcher encountered a financial constraint. the finance required to carryout the research work in some area of the state was not much by making it unable for the researcher to accomplish much.

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Certain terms are associated with a good stock control system. They include;
STORE: it refers to the building set, aside for keeping materials regarding its safety.
LEADTIME: this refers to the time interval between when an order is placed and the period of receipt of orders.
WORK- IN- PRORESS: This refers to the semi finished goods. it is obtainable in a situation where a balance flow of production is not possible.
RAW MATERIALS: this has to do with those items which are transformed into finished goods.
STOCKS: This refers to the items held in the store.
INVENTORY: This has to do with a term which Americans use for stock that are kept or stored for use as the need arises.
OBSOLESCENCE: this refers to the left over of stocks which can not be used immediately in the operation.
REDUNDANT: this refers to the unwanted materials that are out of use in the store.
DETORIORATION: the act of worsening the situation of the goods in the store.