The Impact of Inbound and Outbound Logistics Activities on The Supplier-Customer Relationship.

Abstract

The main objective of the study was the impact of inbound and outbound activities on the supplier-customer relationship, where four specific objectives were formed from the main objective and that is the impact of material handling activities, warehousing activities, Transportation Activities and Distribution activities on the Supplier-customer relationship. Geographically the study based in Tanzania in Dar Es Salaam region and the data was collected at Coca Cola Kwanza Manufacturing Company the place was chosen because it is a place where logistics activities are well practiced (both inbound and outbound activities). The researcher used three theories that are directly related to the study that is Network theory, Social exchange theory and Game theory The study involved 80 respondents as sample size from different departments in the Coca Cola Kwanza Company. Primary data were collected using questionnaires that were self-administered by the researcher and review of documents was done in the collection of secondary data. Data were quantitatively analyzed using correlation and regression analysis with the aid of statistical Packages for Social sciences (IBM SPSS Statistics 20). The result revealed that Material handling Activities, Distribution Activities and warehousing Activities have a positive influence to the supplier-customer relationship, hence making the hypothesis Accepted, while transportation activities do not influence the supplier-customer relationship, hence the hypothesis was rejected. The researcher recommended the Manufacturing companies to take a strong look to the inbound and outbound activities so as to strengthen the bond between the Suppliers and Customers and also increase the organization profit, Future researchers should go further miles discussing, studying and finding out about other aspects of inbound and outbound Logistics in manufacturing Industry both in private and government sectors.. This will expand knowledge of the researchers but also benefit the companies or their case studies they are researching on, since weaknesses and recommendations will be provided.