CHAPTER I: Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
The ideal situation for inspection is of course one in which no
inspection is necessary. This is because the quality assurance effort
cooperatively mounted by the purchaser and supplier has resulted in
outstanding quality performance and reliable supporting supplier
generated records.
However not all organizations have reached this enviable goal,
examining some of the more common ideas surrounding inspection and
quality control is useful conversely. Adequate drafting or written of
specification of materials to be delivered by suppliers is not always a
guaranteed to ensure quality material in an organization there is need
for the inspection of materials coming into the organization to ensure
that supplier provides materials that conform to the quality expected.
The purpose of inspection is to ensure that supplier has delivered
item that corresponds to the organizational specification or description
of the organizational product or services, their product and services
must be watched with care until they have get to prove themselves
dependable.
Unfortunately, two production methods skills even of established
supplier change from time to time. Operators becomes careless, errors
are made and occasionally a seller may try to reduce production costs to
the point where quality suffers. Thus, for a variety of reasons, if is
poor policy for buying organization to neglect inspection methods or
procedures. Therefore, the verification of the quality of incoming
materials is an important task by any concerned in order to ensure
quality materials and also to provide the customer service required
level.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Apparently, in the market, there had been increased in the number of
substandard items or products ranging from organizational goods to the
consumers goods, therefore, the reasons for that is total negligence
upon inspection which automatically result to many substandard products
found way into production process and warrant to poor quality products
in the market.
In consideration of the money spent on materials acquisition,
inspection is very vital. The researcher observed that in many
organizations purchasing and supply aim that is responsible for
acquisition of materials has not been given the right to exercise their
profession that will take care of inspection, for that we can see
procurement activities has been snatched from the procurement officers
by other officers of different background at all levels, such
backgrounds include: account, marketing, human resources, management,
engineering, architecture, medical line, even social development.
It was also observed that in many organizations the decision for
inspection of coming materials into firms has been left to man by the
functional staff of many of these firms, which the research believed to
be bad practice, because this function is very critical and the decision
to inspect materials purchased by many concern should be made by the
top management cadre of the organization in order to formulate good
policy and strategic decision to enhance quality production.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The aim of this study is to examine the use of raw materials
inspection and its impact on quality of production in Nigeria bottling
company. The study is set out specifically to:
i. To highlight the methods
of raw materials inspection and its impact on quality of production in
Nigeria bottling company.
ii. To identify the function responsible for inspection in Nigeria bottling company.
iii. To identify the extend to
which inspection helped the organization in achieving quality
production.
iv. To determine how quality of raw materials affect production process.
1.4 Significance of the Study
This research work is centered on impact of raw material inspection
on quality production in Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC) Kaduna plant.
Therefore, the research study will be of benefit to the organization and
other organizations in Nigeria as a whole.
The study will also be of great benefit to students, executives, and
also the researcher, management field and entire population.
The organization will benefit from the research work, because the
study will explain in details the reason why inspection should be taken
with utmost consideration and the significance they stand to benefit on
inspection, if employed for the control of quality.
It will also bring to the executives of the organization notice the
function of purchasing and supply management i.e. procurement
department. It will also guide to know what inspection is and its impact
on ensuring quality in an organization. To students, the study will add
value to their knowledge in understanding what inspection entails and
prepare their minds against failure on challenges.
Therefore, the study is also a requirement for a partial fulfillment
for the award of Higher National Diploma in Purchasing and Supply Kaduna
Polytechnic, Kaduna.
1.5 Scope of the Study
The study of the researcher focuses on impact of raw material
inspection on quality production with special consideration to Nigeria
Bottling Company (NBC) Kaduna plant.
The finding of the study will be on the data collected from the
management and staff of the company that deals primarily with raw
materials inspection. Acquisition, production and quality control of the
organization, drawn from the purchasing department, production
department and stock control section of the organization of Nigeria
Bottling Company (NBC) Kaduna plant.
1.6 Research Questions
To measure the inspection of raw material as a tool to enhancing
quality in NBC, the researcher has drawn up some research questions
which are:
i. What is the method of
inspection adopted in Nigeria Bottling Company in achieving quality
materials?
ii. What are the functions responsible for inspection in NBC?
iii. To what extent has
inspection of material contributed to the success of the organization in
achieving quality materials?
iv. How does quality of raw material affect production process?
1.7 Definition of the Terms
Inspection: Inspection is the process of verifying the quality and quantity of incoming materials.
Conformance: conformance is the degree to which
delivered product meet predetermined standards set by the users or a
consolidated authority.
Performance: performance related to the products
operating features and how the product will is able to perform the task
it was originally designed to and satisfy intended need.
Standard: A standard is a specification intended for
recruitment use. A standard differ from specification in that whereas
every standard is a specification not every specification is a standard.
Standards are the process based on expectations reflecting how material
or service rendered.
Specification: A specification has been defined in the following ways:
A statement of attributes of a product or services.
A statement of requirement
Quality: There are many definitions of quality. ISO
8402 defines quality as the total features and characteristics of a
product that bears on the ability to satisfy stated or implied needs.