Factors influencing the choice of material handling system in Zimbabwe: a case of Delta Brewery Company in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The study focused on interrogating factors influencing the choice of material handling system in Zimbabwe. A case study of Delta Breweries Bulawayo was used with a specific consideration of periods from January 2020 to December 2022. This was after a realization of increased cost arising from poor choices which would also complicate the ability of an organisation to efficiently deliver goods and services to ultimate clients. In order to fully canvass and elucidate on the key factors that can be employed, the study was guided by the following objectives; to canvass factors influencing the choice of material handling systems in Zimbabwe focusing on a case of Delta Breweries Bulawayo, to establish the impact of choice of material handling systems on the competiveness of Delta Breweries Bulawayo and to solicit recommendations which informs policy guidance when selecting material handling systems at companies in Zimbabwe. Pertinent research questions were constructed to address the study objectives. Relevant literature from journals, policy documents and official reports was reviewed to provide a detailed understanding and exposition of pertinent study variables in the field of material handling and on the key factors critical in the selection of material handling systems. The study imported pertinent theories from prominent proponents to formulate a comprehensive theoretical framework which gave guidance and solid grounding. The models upon which the study was hinged are the Ideal System Approach, Material Handling System Design and the Transactional Cost Economics Theory. The models provided imperative lenses through which the current study could be located. The study adopted quantitative and qualitative approaches simultaneously. A case study was employed in the study. Stratified sampling technique was used to select a sample of 102 respondents. It was justifiable under the circumstances due to the stalemate of asymmetry in objects distribution which were heterogeneous. Quantitative analysis was applied on close ended questions and qualitative analysis on open ended questions. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse quantitative data whilst qualitative data was analyzed using the traditional text analysis in the form of themes. There is abundance of evidence from the statistical metrics that cost, quality, lead time, load capacity, accessibility and adaptability as the key factors to be imported into consideration when deciding on the best material handling system. It was recommended that there be construction of clear organisational goals so that choices are in sync with ultimate organisational desires, construction of a comprehensive catalog of factors to be considered as a matter of policy when deciding material handling system, it was recommended that technological perspectives of material being considered should always be considered