Leveraging information technology for effective inventory management in Singapore’s supply chain industry

Abstract

This research study explores how information technology (IT) is used to manage inventory, which is a crucial part of supply chain operations. Inventory management involves planning, controlling and monitoring the flow of goods from suppliers to customers. IT can help inventory managers to optimize inventory levels, reduce costs, improve customer service and enhance operational performance. However, adopting IT in inventory management is not without challenges. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the factors that influence the decision to adopt IT in inventory management, and the difficulties that arise during the implementation process. To achieve this objective, the study reviews existing literature on the topic and conducts primary research through in-depth interviews with ten professionals who have experience in inventory management. The interviewees work in different organizations and industries, and use two common IT systems for inventory management: ERP and SAP. The study analyzes the data collected from the interviews and compares them with the literature findings. The results reveal that the main motivations for adopting IT in inventory management are to reduce costs and increase efficiency, while the main challenges faced during implementation are related to skill competencies and resistance to change. The study concludes by highlighting the importance of IT for improving supply chain management and providing recommendations for future research.Received: 20 June 2023 Accepted: 09 September 2023 Published: 25 November 2023

Keywords

• erp
• information technology
• inventory management
• resistance to change
• sap
• skill competencies