Abstract:
This study investigated the warehousing strategies of consumer goods manufacturing firms in Port Harcourt and proffered probable solutions far improving them.
The collected data from thirty-one (31) firms were analysed using the Spearman Rank Order Correlation Coefficient, and the Z-test at 95% level of confidence. Results showed that positive and significant relationship exists between the level of available stock of goods in the warehouse, the warehouse location,and the level of motivation of the warehousing workers, respectively, and the level of customer service rendered through the warehousing units.
Moreover, the study revealed findings which include the following:
i). Some firms have had cases of theft of goods in their warehouses;
ii). Private warehouses are mainly used by the firms, and these warehouses are mainly market-positioned; and
iii). Training as well as the offering of financial and non-financial rewards are the means of motivating the warehousing workers.
Based on these, the recommendations made includes:
(i) The firms should adopt better security system in their warehouses for the alleviation of theft cases;
(ii) The firms' managements should provide for the acquisition of personal computers for improved inventory control method in their warehouses;and
(iii) The firms should adopt better levels of training as well as the offering of financial and non-financial rewards as means of motivating the warehousing staff for better productivity and performance.
