Inventory management practices and organizational performance in health sectors: Case study Kisubi hospital

Abstract

This study examined inventory management practices and organizational performance in health sectors, utilizing research conducted at Kisubi Hospital. The specific Objectives were: to establish the relationship between stock valuation and organizational performance in Kisubi Hospital; To establish the relationship between issuing methods and organizational performance in health sector Kisubi Hospital and To establish the relationship between inventory management techniques and organizational performance in Kisubi Hospital. A case study design was adopted and data collected from a sample of 44 respondents. Self-administered questionnaires, interview guide and documentary review guide were used in the study. Data was analysed using SPSS Version 16 and findings were presented in a tabular format showing frequencies and percentages. Qualitative and quantitative findings were presented in themes in a narrative form. The study revealed that Stock valuation has allowed the Hospital to provide a monetary value for items, has also helped the Hospital to assure accurate financial statements and also that all inventory to be sold is first valued. Issuing methods have follows a specific policy, Issuing methods have helped us in planning and forecasting and also that the methods used in for issuing inventory considers items which came first. Additionally, Inventory management techniques has allowed the Hospital to minimize inventory costs, the techniques have also allowed the Hospital to order for the only necessary stock. It was also revealed that the techniques have also allowed the Hospital to receive only required for the Hospital. The study recommended that the management should ensure to have industry-specific requirements of some of the inventory management systems (as for the case of JIT) and the obtaining situation is considered before the adoption of the technology. The organisational management should ensure that prior to adoption of any computerized inventory management systems, they are assessed for appropriateness, resource optimization and feasibility. It should be noted that some of these systems are time consuming, skill demanding and might require large amounts of data in order to operate. It is also recommended that Organizations should have inventory management policies in place in the organization to guide the organization’s inventory management processes and conduct