Guidelines for Communication Process in Enhancing Purchasing Efficiency: A Case study of Beverage Manufacturer in Nakhonpathom Province

Abstract

This research aims of this study was to study the communication process in purchasing process and study problem and barriers of communication process in purchasing process of the beverage manufacturer in Nakhonpathom. The study was conducted using qualitative research by using the in-depth interview with individual key informants from Manager, officer and supplier representative of a total 23 key informants. Analysis the data from purpose of this research and write a report in a narrative feature analysis to present the results. The study result of communication process in purchasing process 7 steps from (1) Purchase Requisition Created, (2) Supplier Selection and Purchase Order Created, (3) Delivery tracking and Order confirmation from suppliers, (4) Delivery of Goods and Service from suppliers, (5) Shipping and Receiving, (6) Supplier Evaluation, and                          (7) Billing and Payment. There are many type of Communication in the purchasing process,                        The communication method used are formal communication such as Purchase Order, making a written memorandum of agreement and for the informal communication, such as verbal language to talk, Downward Communication and Upward Communication, Internal communication have same department or other department and external communication such as customer or supplier. In which all parties acted as both the sender and Receiver in the communication process in various steps and in most cases it is written communication. There are many problems and barriers of communication in Purchasing Process while are (1) Workers lack skills and knowledge in the area of responsibility causing incorrect data communication, (2) The information is not clear and complete, (3) The lack of updated information makes the calculation or planning of the production lacking accuracy, (4) The lack of response or confirmation of receiving information, (5) The workload problem leads to the delay in the response time, (6) The lack of communication clearing policy on delivery with Supplier, and (7) Lack of communication agreement on product quality inspection with supplier. Recommendation of this study are that Workers should develop their skills and knowledge together with good communication skills. The organization should have the manpower management to suit the workload and should be to create communication format for understand the principles of good communication, define a clear and systematic communication process to support continuous work process and data transfer accurate and update for enhancing efficiency.