Project Materials

Effect of Material Inspection on Product Quality in Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Kaduna

Chapter one

Introduction

1.1 Background Of the Study

In his book “Quality is Free,” Philip Crosby summarises the effect of inspection as follows: “A prudent company ensures that its products and services are delivered to customers by a management system that does not tolerate remake, repairs, waste, or non-conformance of any kind.”

These are expensive problems that must not only be discovered and resolved as soon as possible, but also avoided at all costs.” Product quality as a competitive strategy has become the emphasis of today’s businesses, whether in manufacturing or services.

Regardless, any organization’s goal of producing high-quality products or services will be difficult to achieve without the constant scrutiny of inspectors. Materials that are outsourced or insourced, whether as raw materials, components, spare parts, or maintenance repairs and operation items, must be thoroughly examined to ensure that they are the right materials of the correct quality in accordance with agreed-upon standards and specifications.

This is due to the fact that even little deviations from standards, oversights, or defects in incoming or insourced goods have numerous and serious ramifications for the organisation.

As a result of these repercussions, organisations must implement a mechanism to ensure that only high-quality resources enter the organisation. This is always accomplished through the process of inspection.

The obligation for inspection varies each organisation, based on the type, composition, and policy of the organisation in question. However, the purchasing, procurement, and materials departments play a vital role because they are in charge of acquiring the materials used by the organisation.

Inspection is the overall concept of ascertaining and determining the quality or compliance of sourced products or services to set standards and specifications.

As a result, it is difficult to discuss inspection and quality without mentioning the other. It is an important instrument for determining quality. This research will consequently concentrate on specification, standardisation, inspection, and quality control and assurance.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Oversights and deviations from standards for supplied materials caused by organisations’ incapacity to closely inspect these goods continue to be the scourge of most government agencies and parastatals’ failure. These problems are exacerbated by the overall management practices and attitudes towards these concerns.

These have resulted in continuous accurate and epileptic power supply in the state, which is frequently blamed on the failure of installed equipment such as transformers and cables. The Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Kaduna has chosen to investigate the issues raised by these.

The question is: what measures are in place in the organisation to identify material requirements and specifications? Again, what systems has the organisation put in place to ensure that acquired or outsourced equipment and materials are thoroughly tested for quality?

1.3 Objectives of the Study

Because of the impact of poor materials allowed into the organisation on the quality of services provided, the study’s primary goal is to determine the effectiveness of the organization’s inspection systems.

The investigation is so targeted at:

i) Determine whether an inspection is being carried out.

ii) Determine how specifications are communicated to suppliers.

iii) Determine how poor materials are treated.

iv) Determine the method(s) of inspection.

v) Determine the procedure’s effectiveness.

1.4 Significance of the Study

The significance of this study is immense. First and foremost, the researcher will benefit since it is a requirement for partial fulfilment of the award of Higher National Diploma [HND] in the Department of Purchasing and Supply Management, Kaduna Polytechnic, without which the researcher will be unable to graduate.

Second, it will function as a knowledge repository and guide for future researchers to consult. Students will also gain because it will broaden their knowledge.

It will also benefit the understudied organisation by allowing them to enhance or ensure that defective or substandard materials do not enter the manufacturing process.

Finally, the general public will benefit from its depth to use against future purchases or orders, as everyone purchases the same material, product, components, or parts at times.

1.5 Scope of the Study

The purpose of this research is to examine the impact of inspection on service quality at the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Kaduna, which is located in the heart of the city on Ahmadu Bello Way in the Central Area Kaduna.

The seasons 2009-2012 were evaluated, and attention was paid to the organization’s Material Management (Purchasing and Store), quality control, and inspection divisions.

1.6 Research Questions.

i) Where in the organisation does material supply inspection take place?

ii) How are material requirements specified?

iv) How are poor materials treated?

iv) What are the techniques of inspection?

v) How effective is the inspection process?

1.7 Definition of Terms.

Suppliers are companies, organisations, or individuals who agree to deliver or release goods or services to a buying organisation.

Vendor refers to a supplier.

Material: Anything supplied to the market for attention, acquisition, usage, or consumption that may meet wants.

Specification: A detailed description of the materials required from a supplier, which the supplied item must conform to.

Standardisation is the process of creating and implementing guidelines for an organised approach to a certain activity.

A standard is the result of a specific standardisation effort accepted by a recognised body.

Defect: A component that does not satisfy its requirements or specifications requires replacement or repair.

Quality: The extent to which a collection of inherent traits meets requirements.

Inspection: Examining work products, services, or materials to ensure they meet standards.

In this usage, “organisation” refers to a collection of processes.

Productivity refers to the efficient use of available resources at an economical cost.

Buyer: This is a person who gets products at a specific price without considering the technicalities involved, but rather acquires what they desire.