A RESEARCH THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT OF TURKANA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

Abstract

The provision of goods and services at the appropriate time and in the proper quantity is known as stock control. Many business organizations in Kenya have struggled with stock management. Due to the relative size of inventories maintained by the majority of organizations, a sizeable portion of their funding is committed to small-medium enterprises because they make up the largest portion of their current assets. The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of stock control in the stabilization of small-scale business enterprises within Lodwar Town. This study was carried out to achieve the following objectives: determine the influence of stock control in improving productivity and efficiency, identify the influence of stock control in understocking and overstocking, and finally, determine the influence of stock control in enhancing and maintaining customer satisfaction in Lodwar Town small-medium enterprises. The study was conducted in Lodwar town and was limited to small-scale business enterprises. The researcher targeted 300 small-scale businesses within Lodwar Town. To obtain a balanced view of the subject matter, the researcher sourced information from drivers, waiters, cashiers, supervisors, shop attendants, accountants, and managers. The study was hence considered a descriptive survey since data was gathered from employees of business enterprises and used to represent the role that stock control plays in business stabilization in Lodwar town. Questionnaires were used to collect primary data. The questionnaire consisted of closed and open-ended questions. Before processing the responses, the completed questionnaires were edited for completeness and consistency. The quantitative data that was obtained from the questionnaires was coded and keyed into the statistical package for social science (SPSS) analysis software version 24.0. Data was presented in the form of frequency distribution tables and pie charts to facilitate the description and explanation of the study findings. Tables and figures were used to summarize responses for further analysis and to facilitate comparisons. According to the findings of the study, one of the roles of stock control in the business stabilization of small-scale business enterprises in Lodwar Town is to improve productivity and efficiency. It can also be concluded that most business enterprises in Lodwar town keep track of their business records as a way of controlling stock. The research showed that one of stock control's other jobs is to cut down on both understocking and overstocking. This ensured the stabilization of small-scale business enterprises in Lodwar Town. It is also concluded that stock control leads to customer satisfaction, which leads to the stabilization of small-scale business enterprises in Lodwar Town. The researcher suggested finding out the factors affecting business stabilization among small-scale business enterprises in Lodwar Town, Turkana County. The study recommends that the business leadership should ensure that their workers are trained on how to control stock in their businesses. Furthermore, the government should conduct extensive education about the importance of stock control among businesspeople in order to reduce the chances of losses and increase business profit margins by reducing the incidences of overstocking in the business. Further, owing to the limitations of the study, it is suggested that the same study be done in other regions, as the results of the current study may not be generalized to businesses in more urban and developed regions like Nairobi County. Future studies should incorporate other relevant theories in conducting the study. Future research studies should also exploit the influence of other variables not covered by the study.