Impact of Product Quality on Sales Volume in Nigerian Bottling Company
Chapter One
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
This study is aimed at examining the impact of Product Quality on organizational productivity. The specific objectives are;
- To appraise the role of quality product management techniques in boosting sales volume
- To examine the usefulness of the importance of quality control.
- To understand the various production control problems.
- To understand the impact of pricing on quality products.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
The chapter deals with the review of related literature which has to do with the conceptual and theoretical considerations, relating to the problem under investigation.
OVERVIEW OF TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT
To have an understanding of the concept, we need to define the component words. The word ‘total’ according to Macdonald (2000) and Kermally (2003) means employees must be involved in satisfying the customer.
The word ‘quality’ on the other hand means so many things to so many people. In the words of Garvin (2004), quality is an unusually slippery concept easy to visualize and yet exasperatedly difficult to define. According to Wilkinson et al (2000), quality include conformance to standards, fitness to use, excellence, meeting or exceeding customer expectations right first time, customer satisfaction.
Similarly, the word management according to Macdonald (2003) recognizes that TQM is not an accidental phenomenon of an organisation’s activities. It is a managed process which involve, systems and supporting tools and techniques. It also implies that continuous quality improvement must be planned, measured and controlled.
Designing and developing suitable strategies, techniques, tools and models for improving productivity and quality have become an essential function of researchers and practitioners in a networked global economy. Quality management has become an important part of management culture. To this end, organisations have undergone numerous changes over the years in terms of implementing new operation strategies, methods and technologies. “The general pattern of relationship shows that TQM is contributing to company outcomes, especially to direct performance outcomes. This assertion is supported by the finding that the amount of coverage by TQM practices is strongly related to company performance” Lawler et al, 2000).
According to Robert (2003:48), the definitions of TQM are many and varied today. However, for our present purposes, TQM is defined as creating an organisational culture committed to the continuous improvement of skills, teamwork, process product service, quality and customer satisfaction. Therefore, the application of Total Quality Management (TQM) as a management philosophy and company practice that is aimed at harnessing the human and material resources of an organisation in the most effective way to achieve the objectives of the organisation cannot be overemphasized.
Easton and Jarrell (2001) argue that, the motivation for quality improvement comes from conscious awareness shared by all members of an organisation that every process can be done more effectively giving increased value and satisfaction to customers and more efficiently with less waste and resource consumption.
This increase in effectiveness and efficiency benefit customers, the organisation and its members and the society in general. The rate of price may be a critical factor for patronage but another factor is the quality of the service. Infact quality is often the major issue because poor quality can lead to erosion of goodwill. TQM is among the new techniques which when employed can keep customers permanently satisfied (Martin, 2003).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This chapter contains the research method used for the research study. The research design, area of study, research population, sample size and sampling technique, methods of gathering data, validity and reliability of the instruments, and techniques of data analysis.
RESEARCH DESIGN
The methodology used by the researcher is that of descriptive method. Descriptive research design seeks to interpret existing phenomenon vividly. This method calls for gathering data and analyzing summarizing and interpreting certain line of though for specific study. It seeks to find out existing condition or relationships opening that are held. Processes that are going on effect that are evident or trends that are developing.
AREA OF THE STUDY
This research study and data to be analyzed are from the Nigeria Bottling Company, located at Industrial layout Kakuri, Kaduna South, Kaduna State.
RESEARCH POPULATION
This is the total number or aggregate of all units which by virtue of common characteristic may be defined as belonging to the population.
The estimated population for the survey is 250 staff drawn from materials management, production, maintenance, engineering and technical service department in NBC Kaduna. The estimated population of 250 is drawn from the following department with material management department with 80 staff, production department, 70 staff maintenance, 50 staff and engineering and technical service department 50 staff.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA
INTRODUCTION
This chapter deals with the presentation and analysis of data collected by the researcher from the respondents through the designed questionnaire. The data presentation and analysis tend to give a clear picture of information collected for the study.
However, the purpose of this chapter is to present findings result from data gathered in order to address the problems of research questionnaire as well as the objective comment on the data collected by bringing out their opinion to a logical conclusion. Therefore, frequency tables and mean score were also used to present the data collected.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS
SUMMARY
In chapter one (1) the researcher introduced a background of the study, stated the problems, the objective of the study, the significance, the scope of the study, research question the limitation of the study as well as to guide the research work. In chapter two (2) relevant literature on the study of product quality which critically examine the concept a comprehensive scholar recognize research methodology for appreciating the defined problem. However, the population of the study and simple technique were all carried out in the chapter.
In four (4) this is where the researcher systematically analyze and interpreted data collected. In the last chapter five(5) it is was mainly concerned with he summary, conclusion and recommendations rendered by the research carried out.
CONCLUSION
Based on the finding summarized above the following conclusions can be drawn first organization should position their activities towards a particular target of the market using product quality. It is worthy of note that the cornerstone for growth and continuous existences of organizations particularly manufacturing its quality control and product standardization objectives. Thus the entire organizational objectives will be incomplete without quality control objectives clearly and properly stated and incorporated into the mainstream of organizations objectives.
Secondly, organization should ensure improvement of the process of production and Quality marketing such that the suppliers with the lowest price is used thirdly to compete effectively organization should ensure differentiation of its product to easy identification, fourthly companies or producers will only be able to charge premium price for its product it make it product to be unique.
RECOMMENDATIONS
From the conclusion drawn above the following recommendation will also be of great relevance to the firm.
- Nigerian Bottling Company Should establish more vigorous quality control sub-unit that monitors or supervises every level of productions process so that they will be more effective and efficient in handling, in order to satisfy their numerous customers and their needs.
- Regular induction courses such as seminars, workshops, and training programmes for staff should be organized for quality control personnel. So that the staff will have a better and up-to- date knowledge on quality control activities thereby achieving adequate satisfaction required by customers as regard to their products.
- Base on the enumerated problem above, I also recommend that machine design should operate less heat so as to facilitate the installation of central cooling system which will enhance productivity.
- Less noisy machines should be adopted for use in future expansion programmes. This of course will pace way for absolute concentration and quality improvement.
REFERENCES
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