Supply chain management practices used in the cosmetic industry in Kenya

Abstract

Although a number of studies have been done on the concept and context of supply chain, none has been done within the context of cosmetic industry in Kenya. There was need therefore for a study to be carried out focusing on the Kenya‟s cosmetic industry in conjunction with the main supply chain features. The purpose of the study was to determine supply chain practices used in the cosmetic industry in Kenya. The objectives of the study were to determine the supply chain practices adopted by cosmetic firms in Kenya and to establish the challenges cosmetic firms face in the process of adopting the practices. The study used descriptive design with the target population of study being all the cosmetic firms in Kenya. From the findings, one can conclude the following based on the objectives of the study; Consistent performance measures are used across the supply chain and to a very great extent key suppliers are actively involved in new product development in the cosmetic industry in Kenya. The researcher recommended that firms need to embrace Supply Chain Management practices for them to survive in a competitive and turbulent environment; firms management also need to exchange transaction data, and leap forward into valuable collaborative planning and forecasting across the supply chain. Further research should be done to determine how supply chain management can contribute to organizational financial performance and customer satisfaction.