I OSA $($A$)....$

$\frac{2}{3}$

$100\%$

QUESTION $1$

$(37$ Marks$)$

Supply chain management $($SCM$)$ encompasses the planning and controlling of all processes involved in procurement, conversion, transportation and distribution across a supply chain. SCM includes coordination and collaboration between partners, which can be suppliers, intermediaries, third$-$party service providers and customers. In essence, SCM integrates supply and demand management within and between companies to serve the needs of the end$-$customers" Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals $($CSCMP$).$ Furthermore, businesses a connected through materials flow, information flow and financial flows from upstream to downstream of the supply chain network.

Source: CSCMP $($Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals$).2013.$ Supply chain management definitions. Date of access: $25$ Apr. $2025.$

$1\mathrm{.}1$ Drawing from this description, elaborate on the concepts that are crucial in establishing an introductory

$(8$ Marks$)$ understanding of supply chains.

Supply chain management is all about meeting customer demands in a way that is profitable and sustainable. As demands change, so must supply chains so that they can be managed and operated as needed. A look at the most recent industry surveys of executives reveals several supply chain issues that companies are addressing today. Such as the use of supply chain analytics, improving supply chain sustainability and increase supply chain visibility. These latest trends are further discussed below $($Wisner$,$ Tan