MJAMR

Inventory Management Practices on Service Delivery in Manufacturing Firms: A Case of Mukwano Group of Companies in Uganda

Nambi Mercy, Irumba Alex


Abstract

This study examined the influence of inventory management practices on service delivery performance in manufacturing firms in Uganda, using the Mukwano Group of Companies as a case study. Mukwano Group-one of Uganda's largest indigenous conglomerate manufacturing entities, operating across fast-moving consumer goods, edible oils, plastics, and detergents production presented an ideal research context for examining inventory management given the scale and complexity of its multi-category production and distribution operations. Drawing on a cross-sectional survey of 136 respondents comprising production managers, procurement officers, warehouse managers, logistics staff, and sales representatives, supplemented by financial and operational records analysis, the study assessed how raw material inventory management, finished goods inventory management, and inventory control systems influenced Mukwano Group's service delivery performance across customer order fulfilment, delivery reliability, and product availability dimensions. Descriptive statistics revealed moderate to high levels of inventory management practice effectiveness (means 3.48–3.82). Pearson's correlation analysis revealed significant positive relationships between all three inventory management dimensions and service delivery (r = 0.592 to 0.703, p < .001). Multiple linear regression demonstrated that the three dimensions collectively explained 63.7% of the variance in service delivery performance (R² = 0.637, F = 36.14, p < .001), with raw material inventory management emerging as the strongest predictor (β = 0.391, p < .001). The study recommended Just-In-Time inventory adoption, Enterprise Resource Planning integration, and supplier relationship strengthening as priority interventions for sustained service delivery improvement.

Keywords

Inventory Management Service Delivery Manufacturing Mukwano Group Raw Material Management Finished Goods Management Inventory Control Uganda
Metropolitan Journal of Academic Multidisciplinary Research

Cite This Article

Nambi Mercy & Irumba Alex (2026). Inventory Management Practices on Service Delivery in Manufacturing Firms: A Case of Mukwano Group of Companies in Uganda. Metropolitan Journal of Academic Multidisciplinary Research, 5(9). https://journals.miu.ac.ug/pages/article.php?article_id=1902

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