QUESTION $1$

Supply chain management $($SCM$)$ encompasses the planning and controlling of all processes involved in

$(37$ Marks$)$ 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 understanding of supply chains.

$(8$ Marks$)$