Date of Conferral
4-30-2025
Date of Award
April 2025
Degree
Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)
School
Business Administration
Advisor
Rocky Dwyer
Abstract
Inefficient inventory management is a leading cause of lost revenue, operational disruptions, and customer dissatisfaction in high-growth industries. Business leaders of small and medium-sized enterprises face these challenges as rapid scaling makes accurate demand forecasting difficult, leading to overstocking, stockouts, and supply chain inefficiencies. In this qualitative case study, the strategies that leaders of a small- to medium-sized business used to enhance operational efficiency, workforce engagement, and sustainability practices were explored. The Baldrige excellence framework and stakeholder theory served as the conceptual foundation for the study. Semistructured interviews were conducted with six business leaders in the sporting goods industry in the northeastern United States, all of whom had relevant knowledge and experience in operations management. Additional data sources included organizational documents and performance reports. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, member checking, and methodological triangulation. Three themes emerged from the study: strengths in workforce engagement, customer-centric practices, and operational efficiency. Key recommendations include implementing governance dashboards to support leadership decisions as well as leveraging artificial intelligence and statistical methods for inventory forecasting. The implications for positive social change include the potential for business leaders to reduce environmental waste, promote employee well-being, and strengthen community partnerships through sustainable business practices.
Recommended Citation
SHARMA, ABHISHEK, "Effective Strategies for Improving Inventory Management in High-Growth Companies" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 17668.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/17668
