Strategic Optimization Technique for Achieving Sustainable Inventory Management in Medium-Sized Enterprises

Rhada Boujlil^*, Saad Alsunbul

College Of Business, Prince Sultan University, Saudi Arabia

Emails: rboujlil@psu.edu.sa; salsunbul@psu.edu.sa

Abstract

Medium-sized enterprises face the dual challenge of optimizing inventory practices while aligning with sustainable objectives.  Effective inventory management in medium-sized enterprises remains a critical factor in balancing operational efficiency and sustainability. This study addresses the challenge by investigating strategic optimization approaches for inventory control. The background explores the complexities of inventory management, emphasizing the need for enhanced techniques in medium-sized enterprises. The problem statement underscores the necessity of innovative methodologies to navigate the intricate landscape of inventory control and sustainability. To address these challenges, advanced methodology based on LightGBM is applied to forecast demand, assess vendor purchase costs, optimize stock levels, and evaluate predictive performance. Empirical findings, showcased through visualizations, revealed insights into the distribution of purchase costs among vendors, daily sales velocity by product, and comparisons between current and recommended stock levels for top products. Comparative analyses demonstrated LightGBM's superior predictive performance over baseline models, highlighting its potential as a valuable tool in decision-making for inventory management.

Keywords: Inventory control; Sustainability practices; Medium-scale businesses; Strategic management Inventory optimization; Sustainable supply chain; Environmental impact; Resource optimization; Eco-friendly practices; green inventory management.