Supply chain management practices: The case study of numerical machining complex Ltd

Abstract

This study was carried out on Numerical Machining Complex ltd., a manufacturing company located in Nairobi. The study had two primary objectives namely;

 Establishing the supply chain management practices in NMC and  The experiences of NMC in supply chain management practices.

The study adapted a case study research design which involved an examination of the supply chain management practices in use in NMC itself, and in both upstream and downstream firms. The population of upstream firms was 21 and that of downstream firms 350. The 350 firms were identified from the list of customers of NMC. A study sample of 108 firms was purposely selected in a stratified manner out of the population of 350 firms.

Primary data for the study was collected using semi-structured self-administered questions that were delivered and collected later from the respondents. The target respondents in the study were assumed to posses the information sought in the study and also the questions were made simple enough so that even the respondents without background information on the supply chain management practices would be able to supply the needed information. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and summarized by use of tables and charts.

The study established that the company believes very strongly in supply chain management practices and is aware of the need to integrate with both suppliers and customers. This has however not been followed up with action in order to translate the practices into action by for example entering into stable relationships with both suppliers and customers. There is need for this to be done. The study therefore answered both study questions