The Effects of Materials Management Practices on Firm Performance in Ghana: Evidence from A Listed Company.

Abstract Background: Materials management practices has gained extensive prominence over the last few decades and continue to play a significant role in production and operations management. Objectives: The objective of this scientific inquiry is to empirically examine the effect of materials management practices on firm performance by exploring employee views within the Ghanaian context, focusing on Fan Milk Limited, a consumer good listed manufacturing firm in Ghana.Methods: A cross-sectional approach [research design] was espoused for the study, exploring quantitative research techniques for its analysis. The study was based on self-answering structured questionnaires completed by 240 respondents selected via stratified sampling. SPSS version 25.0 was utilised for data analysis. Statistical analyses include descriptive statistics, principal component analyses, exploratory factor analyses with varimax rotation, reliability and validity analyses, and multivariate regression analyses.Results: The study found significant positive relationships between all eight materials management practices constructs and firm performance. Findings revealed further that Economic Order Quantity construct (β=0.901, p=0.000) contributed most to firm performance whilst Ergonomics (β=0.105, p=0.002) contributed least to firm performance.Conclusion: Managerial recommendations via research findings established, should be taken critical for management of manufacturing firms when dealing with decisions influencing materials management and performance assessment by examining the possible feasibility of the eight materials management techniques exploited in this study as a relevant tool for initiating continuous performance improvement in Fan Milk Limited in particular and Ghana’s manufacturing industry in general.