Inventory management practices and perceived financial performance among managers in cement manufacturing firms in Tororo, Uganda

Firms in Tororo, Uganda. This study examined the influence of inventory management practices lean inventory systems, Economic Order Quantity (EOQ), and Just-in-Time (JIT) control on financial performance among cement manufacturers in Tororo, Uganda. Guided by Profit Maximization Theory and the EOQ model, the study adopted a pragmatic philosophy and a cross-sectional mixed-methods design. Data were collected from senior and middle-level managers using stratified random sampling, while key informants were purposively selected. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and hierarchical regression analysis, while qualitative data were analyzed through thematic coding.
The findings revealed that inventory management practices significantly influence financial performance among cement manufacturers. EOQ emerged as the most dominant predictor, followed by lean inventory systems, while JIT showed a positive but comparatively weaker effect. Overall, the results indicate that effective inventory management improves financial performance by reducing costs, improving resource utilization, and enhancing operational efficiency. The study concludes that strengthening EOQ-based ordering systems, improving JIT implementation through reliable supplier coordination, and adopting lean inventory practices can enhance profitability, efficiency, and return on assets. Inventory management is therefore a critical strategic function for improving performance in the cement manufacturing sector.