In this project work titled effect of inventory management on the profitability of a firm with particular reference to Nigerian Breweries Plc. The researcher examined the effect of inventories on the net profit after tax of Nigerian Breweries Plc. The extent at which inventories influences the return on asset of Nigerian Breweries Plc. The effect inventories on retained earnings of Nigerian Breweries plc. Data for the study was sourced through the bank’s Annual report and journal articles related to the subjects matter. The data collected was analyzed using SPSS. The results of the study shows that calculated t-statistics (t = -0.675) for inventory is greater than tabulated t-statistics at 0.05 level of significance. The regression equation also revealed that Net profit after tax accounted for -0,422 unit for every decrease in inventory. The coefficient of determination (R²) 0.568 indicating that 57% of variation in inventory decrease is caused by variation Net profit after tax. The relationship between inventory and Net profit after tax is high, positive and statistically significant at 0.05 level (r=0.754, p<0.05). The overall regression model is statistically significant in terms of its overall goodness of fit (f = 0.439, p < 0.05). As a result of this the study accepts the alternative hypothesis meaning that inventories has significant effect on the net profit after tax of Nigerian Breweries Plc. It was also observed that inventories influences return on asset of Nigerian Breweries Plc to a large extent. The researcher also discovered that inventories has significant effect on retained earnings of Nigerian Breweries plc. Based on the findings the researcher recommends that ii. The company should employ the economic order quantity method when placing orders. The economic order quantity model puts into account the relevant costs associated with ordering and carrying inventory. Every business organization aims at reducing cost to the barest minimum and one of the avenues by which this could be achieved is adopting the economic order quantity method of placing order. Sufficient stock should be held in order to avoid stock-out so that when the ordering level is high; there will be enough stock to be delivered.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page ii

Certification iii

Approval Page iv

Dedication v

Acknowledgments vi

Abstract viii

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study 1

1.2 Statement of the Problem 5

1.3 Objective of the Study 8

1.4 Research Questions 9

1.5 Statement of Hypotheses 9

1.6 Significance of the Study 10

1.7 Scope and Limitations of the Study 11

1.8 Operation Definition of Terms 12

CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1 Conceptual Framework 14

2.2 Theoretical Framework 17

2.3 Empirical Framework 21

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research Design 62

3.2 Sources of Data Collection 62

3.3 Area Of The Study 63

3.4 Population Of The Study 63

3.5 Sample size 64

3.6 Research Instrumentation 64

3.7 Validity Of The Instrument 64

3. 8 Reliability of the Instrument 64

3.9 Model Specification 65

3.10 Description of Variable 65

3.11 Method of data Analysis 66

Reference 67

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1 Data Presentation 68

4.2 Analysis of Data 68

4.3 Testing of Hypothesis 73

4.4 Discussion of Findings 75

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Summary of Findings 79

5.2 Conclusion 80

5.3 Recommendations 81

References

Appendix I

Appendix II

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Inventory constitutes a major portion of current assets especially in manufacturing companies and retail/trading firms. In order to maintain inventory levels of such magnitude, huge financial resources are committed to them (Mittal, 2014). As such, inventory also constitutes a major component of working capital. To a large extent, the success or failure of a business depends upon its inventory management performances. Inventory management, therefore, should strike a balance between too much inventory and too little inventory (Gupta & Gupta, 2012). The efficient management and effective control of inventories help in achieving better operational results and reducing investment in working capital. It has a significant influence on the profitability of a concern thus inventory management should be a part of the overall strategic business plan in every organization (Gupta & Gupta, 2012).

Inventory plays a significant role in the growth and survival of an organization in the sense that ineffective and inefficient management of inventory will mean that the organization loses customers and sales will decline. Prudent management of inventory reduces depreciation, pilferage and wastages while ensuring availability of the materials as at when required (Ogbadu, 2009). Efficient and effective management of inventories also ensures business survival and maximization of profit which is the cardinal aim of every firm. More so, an efficient management of working capital through proper and timely inventory management ensures a balance between profitability and liquidity trade-offs (Aminu, 2012). Specific performance indicators have been proved to depend on the level of inventory management practices.

Inventory management is recognized as a vital tool in improving asset productivity and inventory turns, targeting customers and positioning products in diverse markets, enhancing intra and inter-organizational networks, enriching technological capabilities to produce quality products thereby imparting effectiveness in inter-firm relationships. Proper inventory management even results in enhancing competitive ability and market share of small manufacturing units (Chalotra, 2013). Well managed inventories can give companies a competitive advantage and result in superior financial performance (Isaksson & Seifert, 2013). Management of inventory is also fundamental to the success and growth of organization as the entire profitability of an organization is tied to the volume of products sold which has a direct relationship with the quality of the product (Anichebe & Agu, 2013).

Inventories are the current assets which are expected to be converted within a year in the form of cash or accounts receivables. Thus, it is a significant part of the assets for the business firms. Actually, inventories are the goods that are stocked and have a resale value in order to gain some profit. It shows the largest costs for the trading firms, wholesalers and retailers. Normally, it consists of 20-30% of the investment of the total investment of the firm. Thus, it should be managed in order to avail the inventories at right time in right quantity. Inventory refers to the stock of the resources which are held to sales and/or future production. It can be also viewed as an idle resource which has an economic value. So, better management of the inventories would release capital productively. Inventory control implies the coordination of materials controlling, utilization and purchasing. It has also the purpose of getting the right inventory at the right place in the right time with right quantity because it is directly connected with the production.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Previous studies have shown that organizations have continuously ignored the potential savings from proper inventory management, treating inventory as a necessary evil and not as an asset requiring management. Some of the problems of inventory management in an organization standardizing data: Some companies have been tripped up by having too many definitions for the same data, such as purchase orders and product categories. Standardizing data definitions is a necessary step in building an architecture that works across departments and locations.

Choosing just the demand planning and inventory management modules that suit your business: The unique nature of your demand will determine which components you need. Goods can be expensive to ship overseas and delays can squash revenue gains, so a well-honed demand planning tool updated with real-time sales numbers is essential. But if your sales typically come from large deals, inventory management software merits more attention.

Integrating specialized demand and inventory planning software together, and to related systems such as ERP, is both an opportunity and a need not adequately addressed by the industry. Vendors admit they spend significant time integrating their software into existing supply chain management (SCM) systems.

Training users of demand planning: For some people, forecasting will be an entirely new discipline. Companies that have successfully implemented inventory management software stress the importance of teaching the underlying methodologies before handing out the software.

Webinars, slide shows, and classroom instruction can spread the gospel about your company's new planning processes. A train-the-trainer approach is one of the quickest, least-expensive ways to make people comfortable with inventory management software.

Ease of use should be high on your list of criteria when deciding among vendors, but don't ask people to take on too much at once. Let them start with basic functions and build from there.

Dumping those old spreadsheets and paper: Inventory managers can be reluctant to give up their familiar ways. You might have to forbid the use of spreadsheets, for example, to get people to switch to new inventory management software. To ease the transition and build trust, sit down with users and demonstrate the benefits. Ironically, it might help to simulate the software in Microsoft Excel for those who have never made the transition from paper. Executive champions in the IT and business sides and easy-to-use software can also further buy-in that enables cultural change.