Supply Chain

/ səˈplaɪ ʧeɪn / terminology /

RE: BUSINESS, ECONOMY, GLOBALISATION, INDUSTRY, TRADE

A supply chain is the full journey of a product, from the raw materials used to make it, all the way to the final item reaching the customer. It includes every step along the way: sourcing materials, manufacturing, packaging, transporting, storing, and selling. Many businesses rely on complex supply chains that can span multiple countries and involve a wide network of suppliers, factories, and distributors.

Understanding supply chains is important because they affect everything from product quality and cost to environmental impact and workers’ rights. Disruptions, like natural disasters, political conflict, or pandemics, can slow or break a supply chain, leading to shortages or delays. In recent years, there’s been growing attention on making supply chains more ethical, sustainable, and transparent.

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