IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bcp/journl/v9y2025issue-14p2155-2165.html

Leveraging WMS Barcode Technology for Enhanced Inventory Performance and Cost Efficiency

Author

Listed:
  • Nur Farizan Tarudin

    (Malaysia Institute of Transport (MITRANS), University Technology MARA (UiTM), 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia)

  • Azlin Abdul Latif

    (Faculty of Business and Management, University Technology MARA (UiTM), Kampus Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia)

  • Muhammad Akmal Asyraaf Adlan

    (Faculty of Business and Management, University Technology MARA (UiTM), Kampus Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia)

Abstract

In today’s competitive logistics environment, efficient inventory management is a cornerstone of operational success and cost efficiency. Manual systems, once reliant on physical labels and handwritten records, remain prone to errors, miscounts, and delays, which undermine productivity and customer satisfaction. This study investigates the adoption of Warehouse Management System (WMS) barcode technology at XYZ Company, which transitioned from a manual inventory system to a barcode-enabled framework to address inefficiencies in accuracy, speed, and cost control. The research evaluates whether barcode-enabled WMS can significantly enhance inventory visibility, operational productivity, and cost effectiveness. Data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 60 warehouse employees directly involved in inventory operations, comparing the legacy manual system (LCat) with the newly implemented WMS barcode system. Secondary data from inventory records and warehouse reports were also analysed to validate the findings. Results show that processing time was the most critical factor influencing system effectiveness, with 70% of respondents reporting faster task completion through barcode scanning. The transition led to an 80% improvement in inventory accuracy, a 20% reduction in operating costs, and more efficient utilization of warehouse space. Additionally, enhanced inventory control minimized stock discrepancies, reduced labour-intensive tasks, and enabled employees to focus on higher-value activities. This research contributes to both theory and practice by demonstrating how digital transformation in inventory systems improves operational efficiency, strengthens customer trust, and supports long-term profitability. For practitioners, particularly in emerging markets with limited technological adoption, the study offers a practical blueprint for implementing barcode-enabled WMS to streamline warehouse processes. Overall, the findings underscore the strategic importance of WMS technology in achieving cost efficiency, real-time inventory visibility, and sustainable logistics performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Nur Farizan Tarudin & Azlin Abdul Latif & Muhammad Akmal Asyraaf Adlan, 2025. "Leveraging WMS Barcode Technology for Enhanced Inventory Performance and Cost Efficiency," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 9(14), pages 2155-2165, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:9:y:2025:issue-14:p:2155-2165
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/Digital-Library/volume-9-issue-14/2155-2165.pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/articles/leveraging-wms-barcode-technology-for-enhanced-inventory-performance-and-cost-efficiency/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kamble, Sachin S. & Gunasekaran, Angappa & Gawankar, Shradha A., 2020. "Achieving sustainable performance in a data-driven agriculture supply chain: A review for research and applications," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 219(C), pages 179-194.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Vincenzo Varriale & Antonello Cammarano & Francesca Michelino & Mauro Caputo, 2021. "Sustainable Supply Chains with Blockchain, IoT and RFID: A Simulation on Order Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-23, June.
    2. Emilia Vann Yaroson & Soumyadeb Chowdhury & Sachin Kumar Mangla & Prasanta Kumar Dey, 2024. "Unearthing the interplay between organisational resources, knowledge and industry 4.0 analytical decision support tools to achieve sustainability and supply chain wellbeing," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 342(2), pages 1321-1368, November.
    3. Panagiotis Trivellas & Georgios Malindretos & Panagiotis Reklitis, 2020. "Implications of Green Logistics Management on Sustainable Business and Supply Chain Performance: Evidence from a Survey in the Greek Agri-Food Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-29, December.
    4. Jiangning Cao & Yasir Ahmed Solangi, 2023. "Analyzing and Prioritizing the Barriers and Solutions of Sustainable Agriculture for Promoting Sustainable Development Goals in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-22, May.
    5. Tuğçe Taşkıner & Bilge Bilgen, 2021. "Optimization Models for Harvest and Production Planning in Agri-Food Supply Chain: A Systematic Review," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 5(3), pages 1-27, August.
    6. Ansar Gholipour & Ahmad Sadegheih & Ali Mostafaeipour & Mohammad Bagher Fakhrzad, 2024. "Designing an optimal multi-objective model for a sustainable closed-loop supply chain: a case study of pomegranate in Iran," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(2), pages 3993-4027, February.
    7. Zhao, Xiaofei & Wang, Ping & Pal, Raktim, 2021. "The effects of agro-food supply chain integration on product quality and financial performance: Evidence from Chinese agro-food processing business," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 231(C).
    8. Jack Ryan A. Isahac, 2024. "“Attitudes Toward Sustainable Agriculture Concepts and Practices Among Students of School of Agriculture of Sulu State Collegeâ€," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 8(8), pages 1292-1313, August.
    9. Nematollahi, Mohammadreza & Tajbakhsh, Alireza & Mosadegh Sedghy, Bahareh, 2021. "The reflection of competition and coordination on organic agribusiness supply chains," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    10. Kedar Shiralkar & Arunkumar Bongale & Satish Kumar & Ketan Kotecha & Chander Prakash, 2021. "Assessment of the Benefits of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Adoption on Downstream Supply Chain Performance of the Retail Industry," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-13, November.
    11. Esteve Nadal-Roig & Lluís Miquel Plà-Aragonès & Víctor Manuel Albornoz, 2023. "Supply Chains: Planning the Transportation of Animals among Facilities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-14, January.
    12. Ren, Yi-Shuai & Ma, Chao-Qun & Chen, Xun-Qi & Lei, Yu-Tian & Wang, Yi-Ran, 2023. "Sustainable finance and blockchain: A systematic review and research agenda," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    13. Duan, Yunlong & Mu, Chang & Yang, Meng & Deng, Zhiqing & Chin, Tachia & Zhou, Li & Fang, Qifeng, 2021. "Study on early warnings of strategic risk during the process of firms’ sustainable innovation based on an optimized genetic BP neural networks model: Evidence from Chinese manufacturing firms," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 242(C).
    14. Bai, Chunguang & Sarkis, Joseph, 2022. "A critical review of formal analytical modeling for blockchain technology in production, operations, and supply chains: Harnessing progress for future potential," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 250(C).
    15. Li, Lei & Lin, Jiabao & Ouyang, Ye & Luo, Xin (Robert), 2022. "Evaluating the impact of big data analytics usage on the decision-making quality of organizations," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    16. Fosso Wamba, Samuel & Queiroz, Maciel M. & Trinchera, Laura, 2024. "The role of artificial intelligence-enabled dynamic capability on environmental performance: The mediation effect of a data-driven culture in France and the USA," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).
    17. Gu Ning & Zhao Xiangyuan & Fu Chengbo, 2025. "Can Agriculture-Related Enterprises’ Green Technological Innovation Ride the “Digital Inclusive Finance” Wave?," Economics - The Open-Access, Open-Assessment Journal, De Gruyter, vol. 19(1), pages 1-25.
    18. Shang, Hua & Jiang, Li & Kumar Mangla, Sachin & Pan, Xiongfeng & Song, Malin, 2024. "Examining the role of national governance capacity in building the global low-carbon agricultural supply chains," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    19. Sayem Ahmed & Tazim Ahmed & Humaira Nafisa Ahmed & Syed Mithun Ali & Ernesto D. R. Santibanez Gonzalez & Golam Kabir, 2025. "Modeling the nexus of data analytics, sustainability practices and quality management: Evidence of key enablers," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(1), pages 881-908, January.
    20. Li, Lixu & Hou, Yan & Chen, Lujie & Liu, Yaoqi & Trindade, Maria A.M., 2025. "Unlocking sustainable performance with blockchain technology: Insights from organizational learning theory," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:9:y:2025:issue-14:p:2155-2165. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Dr. Pawan Verma (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.