The Effect of Warehouse Management Practices on Distribution Performance: The Case of Ethiopian Pharmaceuticals Supply Service, Addis Ababa
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Date
2024-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to examine the effect of warehouse management practices on distribution performance at the Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Service. Despite the critical role of effective warehouse management in ensuring timely and accurate distribution of pharmaceutical products, there is a lack of comprehensive research examining the specific relationship between warehouse management practices and distribution performance in the context of EPSS. The study employed both a quantitative research approach and an explanatory research design. A census was utilized to collect information on warehouse management practices and distribution performance from all staff members directly involved in warehouse management activities, including officers, warehouse managers, team leaders, technical advisers, and directors. Out of 110 distributed questionnaires, 106 valid responses were obtained, resulting in a 96% response rate. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools, such as mean, standard deviation, percentage, ,and multiple regression analyses, were employed to analyze the collected data using IBM SPSS Statistics version 27.The regression model summary demonstrated, which included five warehouse activities (Receiving Activity, Put-away Activity, Loading Activity, Picking Activity, and Dispatch Activity) as predictors, significantly explained the variance in distribution performance. The study identified receiving activity and dispatching activity as significant predictors of distribution performance, with receiving activity exerting a stronger influence. Given the interdependencies among various warehouse management practices, it is recommended that the organization enhance its practices in receiving, put-away, loading, order picking, and dispatch to ensure effective inventory management and warehouse performance for pharmaceuticals. The study suggested that the organization should improve its warehouse management practices (receiving, put-away, storage, order picking, and dispatch) to optimize distribution performance.
Keywords: Warehouse Management Practices, Receiving, Put-away, Loading, order picking, and dispatch), Distribution Performance.