Impact of Just-in-time inventory on supply chain efficiency in Mozambique's Fast Food Sector

This dissertation proposal investigates the impact of Just-in-time inventory on improving supply chain efficiency in Mozambique's Fast Food Sector, with a focus on KFC. The study aims to identify the challenges of Just-in-time inventory, examine its impact on supply chain efficiency, and recommend interventions for improvement. The research is significant for understanding the importance of supply chain efficiency and its implications for business operations.

An investigation into the impact of
Just-in-time inventory on improving
supply chain efficiency: A case of
Mozambique's Fast Food Sector
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Contents
1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................3
2. Background..................................................................................................................................4
3. Research Problem........................................................................................................................5
4. Aim of the study...........................................................................................................................6
5. Research Objectives.....................................................................................................................6
6. Research Questions......................................................................................................................7
7. Significance of the study..............................................................................................................7
8. Literature review..........................................................................................................................9
What are the challenges of the just in time inventory for KFC within Mozambique's Fast Food
Sector?.........................................................................................................................................9
What is the impact of the just in time inventory on supply chain efficiency?...........................11
What is the intervention that can improve just-in-time inventory and supply chain efficiency of
KFC within Mozambique's Fast Food Sector?..........................................................................13
9. Research design and methodology.............................................................................................15
9.1 Research Methodology........................................................................................................16
9.2 Sampling strategy................................................................................................................16
9.3 Data collection instruments:................................................................................................17
9.4 Data analysis........................................................................................................................19
9.5 Pilot study............................................................................................................................19
10. Ethical Considerations.............................................................................................................20
11. Chapter Organisations..............................................................................................................20
12. Proposed Timetable.................................................................................................................21
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................24
Appendix........................................................................................................................................27
Questionnaire.............................................................................................................................27
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1. Introduction
Just-in-time inventory refers as an effective strategy of decreasing waste and increasing
efficiency by receiving goods only as they are required within production process, thereby
decreasing inventory costs. In addition, JIT is an effective tool of inventory management and
type of lean methodology that is design to enhance efficiency, cut costs and reduce wastage by
receiving products only as they are required (Banerjee and Mishra, 2017). Therefore, just-in-time
inventory is an essential manufacturing process that helps an organisation in fulfilment of
customer’s need without wasting any time and cost. Just-in-time approach has the capacity or
facility, when sufficiently applied to the company, to enhance the competitiveness of business in
the marketplace extensively by reducing wastes and improving production efficiency as well as
the product quality. One of the main objectives of JIT inventory in the organisation is to reduce
any type of wastage such as inventory waste, waste of time, waste from product defects,
transportation waste, waste from over production and processing waste. These are main wastage
that has negative impact over business performance of company.
This dissertation proposal is based on Mozambique's Fast Food Sector that supplies catering
services or facilities on the fast turnover basis. This sector comprises chicken, hamburger, pizza
and many other food outlets, pastry and ice-cream shops, coffee, ethnic food shops as well as
home delivery facilities for some of these. For this, KFC is a given company that works under
Mozambique's fast food sector. KFC is an American fast food restaurant chain that is mainly
specialise in fried chicken. It was founded by Harland Sanders in 1952 and headquartered in
Louisville, Kentucky. Company use Just-in-time inventory that has both positive and negative
effects on supply chain efficiency (De Steur and et. al., 2016). In positive way, JIT inventory
helps KFC by lowering inventory holding cost, improving cash flow and eliminating risk of
overproduction. This will also helps in improving higher customer satisfaction due to continuous
communication with the potential and target customers. In negative manner, just-in-time
inventory creates issues in order fulfilment, transportation costs would be comparatively high,
changes are quit high etc. Therefore JIT inventory has effect on supply chain efficiency of
company. Main purpose of this research is to identify the importance of just-in-time inventory in
improving supply chain efficiency within Mozambique's Fast Food Sector.
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2. Background
Supply chain network of an organisation include the activities related to ascertainment of
raw materials from suppliers and delivering of the final product to end consumers for their
consumption. Its efficiency has large number of benefits for an organisation like customer
satisfaction, meeting market demands and no blockage of cost in inventory, less production cost
etc. In relation of to the organisations of fast food sector, its management is important because
business function requires daily need of fresh raw materials. A supply chain introduces as an
effective network between an organisation and its suppliers in order to produce as well as
distribute a particular goods to the final customers (Filippini and Forza, 2016). This network
includes various numbers of activities, entities, people, information, resources etc. There are
some examples of supply chain activities that will be require by KFC for improving efficiency
and effectiveness. These examples are faming, refining, design, producing, manufacturing,
packaging and transportation. All these are effective for an organisation in improvement of
efficiency in its supply chain. Just-In-Time is an extremely easy idea but one that is important in
contemporary supply chain management. Just-in-time sets out to decrease costs by decreasing
the amount of products and materials an organisation holds in stock. Just-in-time involves,
producing as well as delivering finished goods to the end users. Therefore, Just-in-time inventory
impacts in improving of supply chain efficiency.
Kentucky Fried Chicken or KFC is the second one biggest global fast-food chain subsequent
to McDonald’s. This American fast food chain, specialising in fried hen, opened its first
franchise in 1952 at Utah, and due to the fact that then has opened over 21,000 franchises in 123
nations internationally (History of KFC Corporation, 2020). In a marketplace monopolised by
way of hamburgers because the most effective rapid meals of desire, Colonel Harland Sanders
changed into an entrepreneur who delivered innovation and variety to the quick grocery store
with fried chicken, and branding himself as ‘Colonel Sanders’, he speedy rose to emerge as one
of the most acknowledged discern in American history.
Supply chain management is main aspects for an organisation in ensuring that a business
runs successfully and smoothly. Unless each and every face of the supply chain is more strong
and functioning or performing at its optimal stage of performance a manufacturing organisation
cannot work at its complete potential. As of boosting customer satisfaction level to reducing
operating costs, efficient supply chain management system goes an extended way in maximising
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the bottom line and customer base also. But it is also essential to remain the correct balance
between entire components, for example: KFC in the United Kingdom, the emphasis on reducing
costs broken up within disrupting the punctual time of delivery the chicken, causing loss of
profits as well as perception of customers towards brand (Ghadge and et. al., 2018).
3. Research Problem
The main problem researched here is related to the impact of supply chain inefficiency over
the functioning of daily operations within fast food businesses. The number of aspects or
problems focused includes impact upon cost of production, ability to meet customer demand and
preferences, profit margins and working capital requirements. For KFC to remain competitive
within the international marketplace, incessant supply chain enhancement and supply chain
efficiency are needed. Changing a system of supply chain management takes maximum time,
financial investment and human resources also. It is a main issue that are faced by most of the
organisation in their business operations due to poor supply chain management system. If
organisations not implement supply chain system properly, there will be service redundancy,
wasted labour and missed deadlines that output in significant costs (Godinho Filho, Ganga and
Gunasekaran, 2016). Along with this, integrating a new management system into a supply chain
working is complex as well as repeatedly needs restructuring or team-member training. Supply
chain management process must include detailed planning, effective communication, or it could
output in expensively mistakes and too much employee turnover. Therefore, ineffective or poor
supply chain management has negative impact which creates biggest issue for an organisation in
improvement of its business operations.
An organisation should be hyper emphasised on decreasing wastage to make cost savings as
well as decrease risk in their supply chain. On the other hand, many enterprises approach this
activity from a perspective that doesn’t make sustainable outputs and may even create
unintended consequences or costs. As an organisation develops organically and pivots some
strategy in explore of profit centres, its supply chain efficiency will often reflect this. While this
type of strategy is essential to the growth and success of KFC, it locks inefficiencies and
ineffectiveness into the supply chain as it favours speed on efficiency. On the other hand, as an
organisation stabilizes and scales, these inefficiencies turn out to be significant disadvantages, as
well as it takes more than incremental transform to remove them. Therefore supply chain
inefficiency is a main issue that have negative impact over business growth and success of
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company. Along with this, there is requirement for improving supply chain efficiency. For this,
there are different methods that will be used by KFC for enhancing efficiency of its supply chain.
These ways are imaging a new supply chain, partner with current suppliers, collaborate with
internal operations, and drive large scale efficiency with suppliers. Therefore all these are more
effective and essential ways for improving supply chain efficiency. This turn to help KFC by
increasing its sales and maximising number of customers within lesser time period (Jardini, El
Kyal and Amri, 2016).
4. Aim of the study
Research aim is important and essential part of the research because it will support
researcher in conducting of full dissertation systematically. Thos part of the dissertation express
the aspiration and intention of the research project (Lii and Kuo, 2016). Research aim
summarises in a single sentence that will be clear and understandable. Along with this, aim of the
research helps researcher in doing of research effectively. There are main aim of this research
which are shown as below:
Main aim of this research is “An investigation into the impact of Just-in-time inventory on
improving supply chain efficiency of an organisation: A case of KFC within Mozambique's Fast
Food Sector.
5. Research Objectives
Research objectives are considering main part of the dissertation because it will help in
completion of full project effectively. Research objectives are based on two variables which are
dependent and independent. Both variables are important in completion of research
systematically and effectively (Lorenc and Szkoda, 2015). According to the research aim or title,
improvement of supply chain efficiency is a dependent variable that is completely depends on
Just-in-time inventory. Therefore, both variables are essential for conducting this research.
According to the dependent and independent variables, some valuable objectives will be
prepared. These objectives are shown as below:
 To determine the challenges of the just in time inventory in Mozambique's Fast Food Sector.
 To examine the impact of the just in time inventory on supply chain efficiency.
 To recommend an intervention that can improve just-in-time inventory and supply chain
efficiency in Mozambique's Fast Food Sector.
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6. Research Questions
Research questions are another important section of dissertation because it will support
researcher in fulfilment of research gap and attainment of research aim and objectives. Research
question are divided into two sections which are main research question and sub-questions of
research. Both types of questions are related with research title and aim (Marodin and et. al.,
2019). There are some essential questions that will be require for accomplishing research gap
and collecting secondary data for literature review. These research questions are:
Research question
 What are the impacts of Just-in-time inventory on improving supply chain efficiency of
KFC within Mozambique's Fast Food Sector?
Sub-questions of research
 What are the challenges of the just in time inventory for KFC within Mozambique's Fast
Food Sector?
 What is the impact of the just in time inventory on supply chain efficiency?
 What is the intervention that can improve just-in-time inventory and supply chain efficiency
of KFC within Mozambique's Fast Food Sector?
7. Significance of the study
The importance of this study is high as aid in identification of the solution of supply chain
inefficiency within fast food businesses. Here, use of JIT is presented over the purpose of
improving supply chain efficiency and getting of rid of the problems mentioned above. JIT is the
inventory control technique that helps in ordering of the inventories of exact amount which is
required to meet the further market or consumer demands. This help in saving additional cost
blockage, effective management of working capital, better functioning of routine activities etc.
Overall, this helps to reduce the loss of money and raw material wastage in fast food business
due to the nature perishability (Meybodi, 2015).
This research is important at practical as well as academic level. This research helps in
development of knowledge about the impact of just-in-time inventory over business operations.
This research will also support in identifying of importance of supply chain efficiency for
effective functioning and operations of company. At academic level, this research support
students by enhancing their knowledge or understanding about the Just-in-time inventory and its
negative and positive effects over improvement of supply chain efficiency. At personal level, this
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research support researcher by enhancing their research skills such as time management,
literature review, selection of best methods of data collection etc. These are main skills that will
be essential for researcher in completion of full project in successfully and effectively. Apart
from this, if this research paper is publish will support organisations, societies and an individual
by improving their knowledge criteria regarding the challenges of the just in time inventory for
within Mozambique's Fast Food Sector. This research will also help them in identification of best
intervention for improving just-in-time inventory and supply chain efficiency of company
(Othman and et. al., 2016).
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8. Literature review
Literature refers to the essential process of collecting secondary data about the field of study.
In order to gather secondary data for literature review, there is requirement of using different
number of sources. These sources are books, articles, magazines, publication research, journals
and many other that are relevant to the topic. All these are considering more effective and
valuable sources for researcher because this will support them in collecting and gathering of
detailed and in-depth information. Literature review is a main part of research because without
this section researcher cannot collect secondary data and not critic them effectively. There are
different purposes of literature review but one of the main purposes is identification of research
gaps within previous study. Within an investigation, main research gap is the impact of Just-in-
time inventory on improving supply chain efficiency of an organisation. It is a main gap because
in previous study there is information about the impact of just-in-time inventory but there is lack
of data regarding the JIT inventory and its impact on enhancing supply chain efficiency of
company (Phogat and Gupta, 2017). Therefore, it is a main gap and in order to complete this gap,
researcher will make sub-questions of research. These questions will be useful and valuable for
researcher in attainment of research gap and achievement of research aim and objectives within
limited time period. Sub-questions of the research will be explained as below in detailed and
systematic manner:
What are the challenges of the just in time inventory for KFC within Mozambique's Fast Food
Sector?
According to the Bailey (2018), Just-in-time inventory refers to the process that is
designed by an organisation with purpose to cut business investment within inventory. In JIT
inventory systems, organisations order the exposed minimum amount of stock to obtain via until
the after that delivery date. KFC following this system on a biweekly delivery agenda would
only order sufficient food to previous an average of 4 days' worth of enterprise. There are many
challenges that restrict the effective working of JIT within fast food industry. These include:
Changing nature of societal trends: The concept of JIT is based upon the ordering of
quantity as per the actual requirement with an organisation. This help in future to save cost
through reduction of wastages, their optimum utilisation and holding the inventory of amount
which will be required in actual. There are many challenges in case of implementing the concept
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of JIT in the organisations dealing fast food business like KFC. The main reason behind the
challenge is about frequent changes in societal trends. In this regard, organisation must focus
over ordering of the different quantities of raw material according to trend. This makes the
situation more difficult regarding ascertaining the actual amount of raw materials requires
meeting demand (Prajogo, Oke and Olhager, 2016).
Everyday different preferences of consumer: The everyday different preferences also
impact the JIT implementation in KFC. The change in preferences impact the ability to know
about cycle of ordering raw materials. Also, the nature of the raw materials is perishable that
become wastage after the storage for more period of time. This creates the difficulty because not
possible to get the actual knowledge about the demand of consumers. These will resultant into
ordering of excessive raw materials, high wastage and blockage of funds. The end impact
ascertained in form failure regarding effective implementation of JIT concept (Qi and et. al.,
2017).
Deployment high use of knowledge and skills: The JIT is not easy and requires high
knowledge and skills for effective implementation. This will be done only in the case when
separate team will be present for the handling for inventory and application of JIT concept. The
business model of KFC is Franchise where difficult to hold separate team in all number of stores
at worldwide level. Hiring of professionals will be costlier for the organisation that has direct
impact over their profit margin. This also resultant in to increase of cost of product and high
prices of product that impact as less demand in market (Sharma and Modgil, 2015).
Need for higher IT investment: JIT system are more complex because these are virtually
not possible to utilise without a computer and any dedicated programs. KFC will require
inventory tracking, sales predicting, order creating and a host of any other programs in order to
create this system work in proper manner. It means a maximum amount of investment in
software and hardware plus training schedule for administration and workers. This will be
additional cost of labour, additional supervisory duties, and maximum time period will be
required for inputting data. Once entire systems are installed as well as employees have been
trained, KFC within KFC within Mozambique's Fast Food Sector now relies over the system of
computer to work flawlessly. For this, company will make strong relationship with IT
professional that has knowledge about the hardware. As this will help them in overcoming issue
of higher IT investment (Ugarte, Golden and Dooley, 2016).
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Therefore, all these are main challenge of Just-in-time inventory for an organisation.
There are other main challenges of JIT such as forecasting of the produced finished good’s
demand is difficult. KFC not only require forecasting the demand of costumer but also have to
organize suppliers of raw materials that are based on their approximate demand. This could
develop issue if a enormous change in demand happens. Along with this, KFC in Mozambique's
Fast Food Sector require reliable suppliers in order to sustain just-in-time approach or system.
These suppliers should meet up the time limits to supply raw materials which are most essential
important to fulfil the orders on time (Kovács and Kot, 2017). In addition, the products given by
the suppliers should also rally the quality needs as if the goods are out of order or faulty, it might
lead to delays within production and a maximise in failures of raw material as well as decreased
revenues. It becomes not easy for KFC that take on JIT tool to keep the needed number of
workforce required. At the same time as the workers are only needed to work or perform activity
when an order to be found by the clients, company regularly have to workers both temporary and
permanent labour based on their requirements and demand of market. In order to effectuate JIT
competently, KFC requires a very strong and effective supply chain. The basis being, if any of
the connection within supply chain i.e. manufacture, labour, suppliers and so on breaks losing, it
can disrupt the entire production line and might lead to customer’ order delays.
What is the impact of the just in time inventory on supply chain efficiency?
As per the view point of Barlow (2015), JIT refers to an inventory management philosophy
or system that aim is to decrease wattage and redundant stock by delivering materials,
components and products just when an enterprise requires them. JIT inventory has positive
impact over supply chain efficiency. Just-in-time produce advantages for KFC in four main areas
which are improved inventory turns, decreased warehouse space, better customer service, and
enhanced response time. Along with this, there are other benefits of JIT inventory for KFC that
will be essential in improving of its supply chain efficiency. These benefits are reduce
distribution costs, enhanced quality of suppliers products, reduction in manufacturing cycle
times, productivity improvement, greater control between different production stages, diminished
raw material, finished goods inventory and work in progress, dramatically enhanced inventory
turnover rates, reduced number of transportation carriers and suppliers. Therefore, all these are
considering positive impact of JIT inventory over supply chain efficiency. This will also support
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an organisation in increment of sales and market share easily. Along with this there are some
positive impacts of JIT over supply chain as presented below;
Efficient amount of raw material: The concept of JIT is relied upon the ordering of right
amount of quantity as per the market demand, trends and organisational production capacity.
This includes the measuring of ordering cycle and market analysis for the purpose of ascertaining
effective amount of raw materials that resultant into continuous business functions. The benefit
of this will be ascertained by KFC in their supply chain by attaining the storage of efficient
amount of raw materials which will be sufficient to meet market needs. This has further
contribution towards the optimum utilisation as they know how much marital they and how this
will have needed to be consume (ONYANGO, 2017).
No blockage of cost: The ordering of large amount of inventory resultant into blockage of
cost. The negative impact this will be ascertained in the manner that not able to do the routine
activities properly as did not have proper flow of liquid cash. Another negative impact will be
ascertained in the form of loss of money due to spoilage of raw materials. The concept of JIT is
based upon the ordering of raw materials which will be actually required within an organisation
for the purpose of carrying business activities. This will provide the benefit in form not blockage
of extra amount in the purchase of inventories. This can be further used for the purpose of
improving of speed of routine activities and quality of services. The positive impact of this will
be ascertained upon the supply chain along with overall business (ACHARYA, 2016).
No waste of material due to the nature of perishability: The nature of raw materials in the
food sector is perishable. It is not possible to store for longer period of time. The ordering of
excessive amount of raw materials always resultant into the wastage and loss of money. The
concept of JIT is based upon this point than focus over the market need and organisational
requirement before the ordering of the raw materials. This will provide the benefit in form of
holding the actual amount of materials that will be consumed properly within the specified
period of time without any wastage and spoilage. This will provide the opportunity to improve
production capacity along quality in offerings that has positive impact over business operational
capacity (Richards, 2017).
Therefore, Just-in-time manufacturing system or philosophy has long been an essential part of
the efficiency of supply chain management. It plays an important and significant role within
enhancing the supply chain process of KFC and is very essential to be looked on in a very careful
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way. JIT has an effective role in the supply chain from some perspectives such as quality,
customer relationship and buyer-supplier relationship. JIT systems are more essential tool for
KFC to ensure quality improvements. It will support an enterprise in improving the quality at
entire stages within supply chain. Therefore, JIT inventory not only improves product quality but
also enhance supply chain quality that turn to impact on business in improving its operational
efficiency and effectiveness (Distelhorst, Hainmueller and Locke, 2017). As a conclusion, JIT
inventory driven supply chain process is leading towards an effective planning as well as
production within brining strong financial performances. Therefore, successful implementation
of just-in-time has a positive impact on the business operations and execution of supply chain
management in KFC.
What is the intervention that can improve just-in-time inventory and supply chain efficiency of
KFC within Mozambique's Fast Food Sector?
According to the Kenton (2020), the intervention of EOQ is best with JIT to improve both
i.e. scope of JIT working along with efficient of supply chain. Economic order quantity
introduces to the ideal quantity; an organisation should buy to reduce costs of inventory such as
shortage costs, holding costs and odder costs. EOQ help to study the cycle of order and JIT help
to know current preferences. The integration helps to get best results in quantity ordering. The
Economic order quantity formula is best followed in situations where ordering, demand and
holding costs stay behind constant over time. It is an essential cash flow technique that helps an
organisation to control the quantity of cash tied up within the inventory balance. EOQ is a best
intervention of KFC in Mozambique's Fast Food Sector because it will help them in improving
of jus-in-time inventory and increasing customer base by fulfilling their needs and wants on
time. Therefore, inventory is a main asset of an organisation other than their human resources. If
EOQ can assist reduce the inventory level, the cash saving can be applied for investment or
business purpose. Along with this, there are other interventions that must be use by KFC within
Mozambique's Fast Food Sector for improving supply chain efficiency and JIT inventory
effectively. These interventions are explained as below:
Inventory management techniques: As per the view point of Campbell (2018), inventory
management refers to the act of keeping track of an organisation’s products and monitoring their
amounts, location, dimensions and weight. There are different techniques of managing inventory.
These techniques are first-in first-out, set per levels, mange relationship, contingency planning,
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regular auditing, accurate forecasting etc. All these are best techniques that would be use by KFC
for managing just-in time inventory effectively. Therefore, it will be beneficial for company in
avoiding spoilage, avoiding dead stock, saving shortage cost and increasing sales (Hugos, 2018).
Training of staff in accounting practices: Effective control of inventory is an important
part of supply chain excellence. The advantages of proper staff training and guidance are
eventually to mange inventories in effective manner in terms of operational efficiency, stock
level and customer service delivery. Inventory management staff training will be essential for
KFC by improving productivity and efficiency of employees. Therefore talented and trained
staffs are more capable for the growth and success of company because they have knowledge
about how to treat customers and how to fulfil their demands within minimum time period. It
turns to helps KFC by increasing its sales and improving brand image in marketplace and in
customer’s mind effectively (Palandeng and et. al., 2018).
Hiring of personnel with digital inventory handling experience: This is another
intervention that will be more beneficial for KFC in improvement of its Just-In-Time inventory
and supply chain efficiency. For this, company must hire IT professional that have accurate
knowledge about the computer system and many other activities. Therefore, within KFC, IT
plays an important role by maintaining stock properly, bar coding supports in identifying stock,
proper system will decrease stock variation, FIFO method will support in decreasing old stock
situation etc. Therefore, IT profession in the organisation have to play important and significant
role in enhancing supply chain efficiency and improving JIT inventory (NAVEED, 2016).
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9. Research design and methodology
Research methodology is a useful and important part of the investigation because it facilitate
researcher in collection of information from different sources and methods. Main purpose of
research methodology is to help researcher by providing reliable, qualitative and quantitative
information about the specific field of study (Amjad and et. al., 2018). In addition, research
methodology introduces to the specific techniques and procedures that have been used by
investigator for identifying, selecting, processing, analysing, findings and interpreting
information regarding a topic. In a research, research methodology allows the reader to
significantly evaluate an investigation’s overall validity and reliability. Therefore, this is a main
section of research and helps investigator in gathering and analysing of data. Under this section
of research, different methods have been included which will be explained as below:
Research design:
A research design introduces to the set of methods as well as procedures that is followed
by investigator for gathering, collecting and analyzing data of the variables included in the
problem research. This section basically has three types of research design which named are
descriptive, exploratory and experimental. All these are significant in collecting and analysing of
information regarding specific area of study. For collecting and analysing quantitative
information, descriptive design will be used because it support researcher to find out research
problem by making questionnaire and asking to the large number of sample size. Therefore, as
compare to exploratory and experimental research design, descriptive type of study design will
be more suitable and appropriate for the researcher (Aoyama, Hoshika and Honda, 2018).
Research approach:
Research approach is main part of research methodology because it is used in analysing
of quantitative and qualitative information. Research approach is divided into two parts which
named are inductive and deductive. Both are consider effective approach of data analysis but for
analysing quantitative information about the JIT inventory, deductive approach has been applied.
Another research for choosing deductive approach as it not consumes more time as well as
resources. Inductive approach is another part that will be not used for doing this study because it
only analysis qualitative data by taking maximum time (Gaur and Kumar, 2018).
Research Philosophy:
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Research philosophy is classified into two different sections such as interpretivisim and
positivism. Main purpose of research philosophy is to helps researcher in collection, analisation
and interpretation of qualitative or quantitative data. Within a study, positivism type of research
philosophy has been chosen because current study is based on quantitative research. As
positivism philosophy support investigator to gather and analysis quantitative information about
the effect of JIT inventory for improving supply chain efficiency of company. On the other hand,
interpretivisim philosophy is not useful for conducting present study because it is based on
qualitative data collection and data analysis (Gjesfjeld and et. al., 2020).
9.1 Research Methodology
Research methodology is divided into some sections which are qualitative, quantitative or
mixed. Quantitative research refers as a method of generating numerical information and hard
facts about the topic. Qualitative research introduces to the method of developing an accurate
understanding on social science and human. Mixed method are refers as a combination of
qualitative and quantitative research. These are effective, but conducting current investigation,
quantitative research has been followed as it facilitate and support researcher in gathering of
numerical data, by employing questionnaire. Qualitative is another kind of research methodology
that is inappropriate for current project. As it require qualitative data which need maximum
amount of capital, resources and time also. Therefore, as compare to qualitative research,
quantitative study not consumes more time and also provides valid outcomes (Güven, 2018)
(Kelly and et. al., 2018).
9.2 Sampling strategy
Sampling is the process of selecting number of sample size from entire population. There
are basically two strategies of selecting sample size which are probability and non-probability.
Both are effective strategies but for selecting sample size for current investigation, probability
sampling has been used because it not takes more time. By using probability sampling 70
employees from different departments of KFC will be selected randomly. Main reason for using
simple random sampling as a type of probability sampling is it is free from errors in
classification. On the other side, non-probability sampling is not appropriate within a study as it
take maximum time and there is poor representation of the entire population (Page and et. al.,
2019).
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9.3 Data collection instruments:
Data collection instruments are the tools of collecting information from various techniques.
There are different numbers of research instruments which are interview, questionnaire, focus
group, modelling, observation etc. All these are effective for investigator in collecting of primary
data. In order to collect data regarding Just-in-time inventory and its impact on supply chain
efficiency, questionnaire will be applied. There are various advantages of questionnaire such as
practical way of data collection, easy to collect result, gather information from a larger audience,
compare and contrast other research, allow easy analysis of result, allow respondents to maintain
their anonymity, no time limit etc. These are main advantages of using questionnaire for current
study. Along with this, one of the main advantages of applying questionnaire for the project is at
helps researcher by providing numerical and quantitative information without taking extra time
and resources (Schoonderbeek, 2018). Questionnaire according to the research title will be
prepared as below:
Questionnaire
Q1) Do you have knowledge about the role of Just-in-time inventory at workplace of KFC?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) What are the main role of just in time inventory in the workplace of KFC within
Mozambique's Fast Food Sector?
a) Reduce wastage
b) Improves productivity and efficiency
c) Contributes to smoother production flows
Q3) According to you, what are the advantages of just-in-inventory for KFC?
a) Waste reduction
b) Smaller investment
c) Less space needed
Q4) What are the disadvantages of just-in-time inventory for KFC in Mozambique's Fast Food
Sector?
a) Risk of running out of stock
b) More planning required
c) Lack of control over time frame
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Q5) As per your opinion, in which manner Just-in-time inventory impact in improving supply
chain efficiency of KFC?
a) Positive
b) Negative
c) Neutral
Q6) According to you, what is the significance of supply chain management for KFC in
improvement of its business performance?
a) Boost customer service
b) Reduce operating costs
c) Improves financial position
Q7) What is the impact of the just in time inventory on supply chain efficiency?
a) Efficient amount of raw material
b) No blockage of cost
c) No waste of material due to the nature of perishability
Q8) According to you, what are the ways may be use by KFC for improving supply chain
efficiency?
a) Effective communication among workforce, suppliers etc.
b) Increase information sharing and visibility
c) Analyze information to meet customer needs
d) Train workforce comprehensively
Q9) What are the challenges of the just in time inventory for KFC within Mozambique's Fast
Food Sector?
a) Changing nature of societal trends
b) Everyday different preferences of consumer
c) Deployment high use of knowledge and skills
Q10) What will be the interventions that can improve just-in-time inventory and supply chain
efficiency of KFC within Mozambique's Fast Food Sector?
a) Economic Order Quantity
b) Inventory management techniques
c) training of staff in accounting practices
d) Hiring of personnel with digital inventory handling experience
18

Q11) Provide any recommendations to KFC in improvement of its supply chain efficiency by
using JIT inventory.
9.4 Data analysis
Data analysis refers to the process of analysing collected data from number techniques and
approaches. There are two approaches of data analysis which named are inductive and deductive.
Within an investigation, deductive approach has been applied by researcher because it facilitated
in analysing and interpreting of quantitative and numerical information within limited time
period. On the other side, inductive is another approach that support researcher in finding and
interpreting of qualitative data. Therefore, for analysing data about the JIT inventory, deductive
approach will be taken into consideration. Along with this, there are different techniques of
analysing qualitative and quantitative data. For qualitative data, thematic analysis is most
suitable technique. In case of quantitative data, descriptive analysis, coding, content analysis etc.
are main techniques (Wu and et. al., 2018). Therefore, present study is based on quantitative
data, and for analysing this data, content analysis will be used within an investigation. Main
reason for using content analysis is it helps researcher to make themes on each question and
interpret quantitative data easily. For doing this method, researcher will require to follows some
steps which are making of frequency table, presentation of graphs and interpretation of data.
9.5 Pilot study
Pilot studies are small-scale and preliminary investigations which motive to research
whether crucial elements of a main investigation – generally a randomized controlled trial– will
be practical. For instance, they may be applied in attempt to forecast a suitable sample size for
the full-scale study and/or to enhance upon different parts of the research design (Prajogo and et.
al., 2018). Often randomized controlled trial needs a lot of time as well as amount of capital to be
carried out, so it is vital that the investigators have assurance in the main parts they will take
when performing this kind of research to avoid wasting time as well as resources also. Therefore,
pilot study is essential and significant for researcher in conducting of study over the impact of
just-in-time inventory on supply chain efficiency of KFC. This will support them by saving their
time, cost and resources, and providing valid outcomes. For pilot study 10 respondents will be
selected.
19

10. Ethical Considerations
Ethical Considerations may be specific as one of the most crucial parts of the research.
Dissertations may additionally also be doomed to failure if this element is missing. Research
ethics are essential within an investigation for a number of reasons. They promote the research
aim and objectives, such as expanding knowledge. There are different principles of research
ethics which are avoiding deceptive practises, providing the right to withdraw, protecting
confidentiality, minimising the risk of harm, obtaining informed consent, and protecting
anonymity. These are considering main principles of research ethics that will be useful for
researcher to use and complete each activities of study ethically and effectively. Therefore,
researcher must apply all principles by performing this study (Achuora and Robert, 2020). As it
will help them by providing valid outcomes easily. There are some important principles of
ethical consideration such as Research members should now not be subjected to damage in any
methods in any respect; researcher must provide accurate information about the research aim and
objectives to the participants etc. These are main principles that will be useful for researcher in
completion of full study ethically and essential. Thus, ethical considerations are important part
for doing research activities of dissertation systematically.
11. Chapter Organisations
There are different chapters that will be used for conducting research project in systematic
and effective manner. Some important chapters will be explained as below:
Chapter 1:- Introduction: This is an important part of research that helps reader by
providing information about the research. This section of the research includes different number
of sub aspects which are overview of the topic, background of the research, significance of the
research, problem statement, research aim, objectives and questions. These are main part that
will be essential for reader in identification of research importance (Rama and Holl, 2017).
Chapter 2:- Literature Review: This is another section of research that helps researcher by
providing secondary information. This section includes different number of secondary sources
such as magazines, books, articles, publication research etc. All these sources have been used by
investigator for gathering secondary data about the impact of just-in-time inventory in enhancing
supply chain efficiency of company. Main purpose of this chapter is to identify gaps in past
studies and also develop research questions for fulfilling those gaps effectively.
20

Chapter 3:- Research Methodology: This is a main chapter of research because it assists in
gathering and analysing of information from different methods and approaches. Quantitative
research methodology will be applied for collecting primary data from respondents. For this
Questionnaire will be used because it will support researcher in collection of information from
70 mangers of an organisation. Descriptive research design will be used because it helps research
in completion of research effectively (Maharaj, 2017).
Chapter 4:- Data analysis/presentation and findings: In this chapter researcher analysis,
present and interpreted data about the topic. For qualitative research, inductive approach will be
used, whereas for gathering quantitative data, deductive approach will be followed. Within an
investigation, deductive approach is more appropriate because it helps researcher in analysing of
quantitative information. For this, content analysis has been applied that will be beneficial for
researcher in making of themes over each question.
Chapter 5:- Conclusion and recommendation: - This is important chapter that includes
summary of entire report in briefly. In this chapter, some recommendations have been provided
by researcher to the organisation. These recommendations are basically related with the research
topic.
Chapter 6: Reflection and Alternative research Methodology: - This is a last part of the
research that covers experience of researcher about the project. In this chapter, researcher
explains their entire journey and provides information about the effectiveness of research
methods. This chapter also includes limitations of research methods and for overcoming this type
of limitation, recommendation of alternative research methodology will be provided (Vijayan
and Kamarulzaman, 2020).
12. Proposed Timetable
This is another important and valuable part of research that helps researcher in identification
of time period for each activities of study. There are two approaches of time horizon which
named are cross-sectional and longitudinal. Both are the effective in determination of time period
of the project but according to the current dissertation proposal, cross-sectional approach is more
suitable and appropriate because it is based on actual situation and also support investigator in
completion of full project within limited time duration. Along with this, timetable of the project
is related with the time of different activities that will be used by researcher for completing
research in systematic manner (Hirano, 2016). Gantt chart has been used for proposed timetable
21

because it is an effective tool of time management. In this chart, different number of activities
has been included that support researcher in completion of full project systemically. There are
some research activities apart from their starting as well as ending data that will show as below
in graphical way:
22

23

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26

Appendix
Questionnaire
Q1) Do you have knowledge about the role of Just-in-time inventory at
workplace of KFC?
Frequency
a) Yes 60
b) No 10
Q2) What are the main role of just in time inventory in the workplace of KFC
within Mozambique's Fast Food Sector?
Frequency
a) Reduce wastage 20
b) Improves productivity and efficiency 30
c) Contributes to smoother production flows 20
Q3) According to you, what are the advantages of just-in-inventory for KFC? Frequency
a) Waste reduction 30
b) Smaller investment 18
c) Less space needed 22
Q4) What are the disadvantages of just-in-time inventory for KFC in
Mozambique's Fast Food Sector?
Frequency
a) Risk of running out of stock 22
b) More planning required 18
c) Lack of control over time frame 30
Q5) As per your opinion, in which manner Just-in-time inventory impact in
improving supply chain efficiency of KFC?
Frequency
a) Positive 40
b) Negative 20
c) Neutral 10
Q6) According to you, what are the significance of supply chain management for
KFC in improvement of its business performance?
Frequency
a) Boost customer service 20
b) Reduce operating costs 20
c) Improves financial position 30
27

Q7) What is the impact of the just in time inventory on supply chain efficiency? Frequency
a) Efficient amount of raw material 25
b) No blockage of cost 25
c) No waste of material due to the nature of perishability 20
Q8) According to you, what are the ways may be use by KFC for improving
supply chain efficiency?
Frequency
a) Effective communication among workforce, suppliers etc. 20
b) Increase information sharing and visibility 15
c) Analyze information to meet customer needs 18
d) Train workforce comprehensively 17
Q9) What are the challenges of the just in time inventory for KFC within
Mozambique's Fast Food Sector?
Frequency
a) Changing nature of societal trends 30
b) Everyday different preferences of consumer 25
c) Deployment high use of knowledge and skills 15
Q10) What will be the interventions that can improve just-in-time inventory and
supply chain efficiency of KFC within Mozambique's Fast Food Sector?
Frequency
a) Economic Order Quantity 19
b) Inventory management techniques 18
c) training of staff in accounting practices 17
d) Hiring of personnel with digital inventory handling experience 16
28