Evaluating effects of ICT on materials management at Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Takoradi

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the effects of Information Technology on material management. This was undertaken using Electricity Company of Ghana (Takoradi) as the case study. The study focused on staff of ECG and questionnaires were used to collect relevant data. There was 100% response rate. The findings revealed that ECG performed some materials and warehouse operations and activities which included material estimation, budgeting, planning and programming. The findings also revealed that the use of information technology helps to reduce time spent on material purchasing and also reduces the time to source materials. On effects of information technology on material management, it has helped to provide timely customer service, keep track of items, and there is as well potential loss of proprietary and confidential information in using information technology. The researcher’ work revealed that there can be technological cost, for example, software use for effective and efficient material and warehouse operations. The study therefore recommends that; the organization should strive to ensure warehouses are adequately automated by management systems that can improve how materials can be managed. Also, employees should undergo further training in order to adapt to the emerging technologies for materials and warehouse operations to be effective. The level of materials handling must be high, in order to know the minimum and maximum level of material to control demand estimation and procuring of materials. Backup plans must also be provided in case information technology on warehouse management fails, so that challenges will not arise.