Inventory control: which managerial action will <em>reduce</em> the average inventory level held by a firm, all else being equal?

Introduction / Context:
Average inventory influences working capital, storage costs, and service levels. In classic Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) logic and cycle stock analysis, average on-hand is driven primarily by order quantity and demand variability.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Deterministic demand, constant usage rate (EOQ assumptions).
• Replenishment in batches (lot sizing).
• We are isolating impact on average inventory, not safety stock alone.

Concept / Approach:
Average cycle stock in a simple lot-size model equals Q / 2, where Q is the order quantity. Reducing Q reduces the average on-hand. Reorder point and lead time affect when to order and influence safety stock or pipeline inventory more than the basic cycle stock component.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
EOQ formula Q* = sqrt( (2 * D * S) / H ). Reducing Q via smaller lots (e.g., through setup reduction) lowers both Q and average inventory.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Lowering the reorder point: can reduce safety stock slightly, but not the cycle stock component defined by Q.
• Increasing usage rate: tends to increase order frequency and may not lower average on-hand; can increase pipeline inventory.
• Decreasing vendor lead time: reduces pipeline/safety stock, but without changing Q, average cycle stock remains Q / 2.

Common Pitfalls:
Conflating safety stock and cycle stock; the most direct lever for average inventory is order quantity.

Final Answer:
decreasing the order quantity