Automated Production Scheduling Systems and Cost Reduction Among Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Firms in South-East Nigeria

This study examined the effect of automated production scheduling systems on cost reduction among pharmaceutical manufacturing firms in South-East Nigeria. The specific objectives were to examine the effect of automated production planning on labour cost and determine the effect of automated production scheduling on operational cost reduction among pharmaceutical manufacturing firms in South-East Nigeria. The study was conducted in South-East Nigeria and adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population comprised 798 employees of selected pharmaceutical manufacturing firms across the states in South-East Nigeria. A sample size of 259 respondents was determined using Freund and Williams' statistical formula. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Of the 259 questionnaires administered, 252 were duly completed and returned, representing a response rate of approximately 97.3%. The validity of the research instrument was assessed using content validity, while its reliability was tested using the Pearson correlation coefficient, which yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.870, indicating good reliability. Data were presented and analysed using mean scores and standard deviations, while the hypotheses were tested using the Z-test statistic. The findings revealed that automated production planning had a statistically significant positive effect on labour cost, Z = 10.079, p < .05. The findings also indicated that automated production scheduling had a statistically significant positive effect on operational cost reduction among pharmaceutical manufacturing firms in South-East Nigeria, Z = 10.457, p < .05. The study concluded that automated production scheduling systems could contribute significantly to cost reduction among pharmaceutical manufacturing firms in South-East Nigeria. The study recommended, among other measures, that management of pharmaceutical manufacturing firms in South-East Nigeria should adopt automated production planning systems that align employee schedules with production requirements and available resources