IMPACT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ON THE SUPPLY FUNCTION OF AN ORGANIZATION (A CASE STUDY OF NIGERIA BREWERIES (NB) PLC)

ABSTRACT

This study examines the impact of information technology on the supply function of an organization. The objective of the study is to identify how information technology affect the supply function of an organization as well as to find out the innovative approaches that has been recently developed in relation to supply function of an organization and also to determine whether the process is reliable enough in ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in increasing organizational performance. To this end, attempts were made to review literature on the concepts of information technology and supply function, the impact of information technology on supply functions, functions of information technology on production as well as supply functions of an organization. The researcher recommended among other things that small, medium and large organizations should use information technology in order to boost their production, enhance service delivery, reduce operational cost and organizational efficiency.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1    Background of the Study

This research work focuses on the impact of information technology on the supply function of an organization, a case study of the Nigeria Breweries (NB) Plc. This research work is carried out in order to know the benefit or role information technology has impacted in the modern day business operation and in the entire human life as a whole.

Information technology is the application of computers and telecommunication equipment to store, retrieve, transmit and manipulate data. Information technology, as defined by the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) is “the study, design, development, implementation, support or management of computer-based information systems, particularly software application and computer hardware. Information technology deals with the use of electronic computer and computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit and securely retrieve information. Information technology has introduced modern ways of working in many organization which Nigeria Breweries Plc is not an exemption, because the primary reason for the increase in popularity and utilization of information technology especially in large manufacturing industry like Nigeria Breweries (NB) is efficiency, speed, low procurement cost and accuracy in handling of multiple task simultaneously than using the manual system of keeping record because it is very difficult to consider running a business today without information technology.