Effect of Inventory Control on Technology Adoption in Cameroonian SMEs: A Systems Theory Perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31674/ijrtbt.2026.v010i02.002Abstract
Introduction: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are vital to Cameroon's economy; however, they face significant inventory control challenges. Despite the availability of advanced inventory techniques, these enterprises struggle to adopt them due to limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient training, and employee resistance. These factors hinder SMEs from reconfiguring inventory systems, despite poor performance, causing adverse outcomes. The literature lacks a comprehensive explanation of how operational feedback influences SME decisions to improve inventory control. This issue is evident among Sub-Saharan as well as SMEs in developing countries, which often rely on manual record-keeping, leading to stockouts and overstocking. Although studies attempt to connect these issues, there is a lack of clear understanding of how inventory outcomes impact SME decision-making from a systems perspective. Methods: This conceptual literature review aims to close this gap. It examines articles from Scopus, IEEE Xplore, and Google Scholar using qualitative thematic synthesis, inventory processes, technology adoption, and socio-technical relationships. Results: Most SMEs in these regions rely on manual tracking, often linked to poor records, which increases the perceived value of improved tracking. Manual systems tie up capital that could be used for new or existing inventory control infrastructures. Organizational readiness, infrastructure availability, and managerial competencies mediate and moderate these relationships, indicating that without these factors in place, the effectiveness of improved tracking systems may be significantly diminished. Conclusion: This study portrays inventory control as a feedback-generating subsystem within a socio-technical framework. Theory advances by examining the relationship between operational performance and decision-making in resource-constrained settings.
Keywords:
Digital Inventory Tools, Inventory Control, Systems Theory, Operations Management, SMEs in CameroonDownloads
References
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