$\backslash$table$[[$Value chain classification,General example activities associated with this stage,$],[1.$ Research and development,$\backslash$table$[[$Building and running laboratories or research facilities, developing and testing new$],[$products$,$ obtaining market data to ascertain demand for the product. As competition$],[$escalates$,$ managers need to know where their competitive advantage might lie in keeping$],[$ahead of the market in introducing new $($or modified$)$ products or services.$]],],[2.$ Design,$\backslash$table$[[$Translating the research and development information into products that will satisfy$],[$customers$\text{'}$ needs. This includes changing the design of the product and the processes by$],[$which it will be produced. It may also require further R & D to be undertaken if the$],[$product or process design reaches a point where the firm cannot proceed until additional$],[$information is attained.$]],\backslash$table$[[$Procurement and receipt of all incoming materials, parts or components related to the$],[$production of the product. Dealing with various suppliers so that the firm can evaluate its$],[$most suitable and cost$-$effective supplier profile.$]]],[3.$ Supply,$\backslash$table$[[$The collection and assembly of the resources to produce a product or service. This$],[$is where the product is made!$]],],[4.$ Manufacturing$/$ Production,$\backslash$table$[[$Linking product features with customer needs and wants, together with promoting and$],[$selling the product.$]],],[6.$ Distribution,$\backslash$table$[[$Getting the finished product into the hands of the customer, and include transport and$],[$storage$,$ distribution channels and so on$.]],],[7.$ Customer service$/$support$,\backslash$table$[[$Serving or supporting the customer: answering inquiries, providing information about$],[$product features, installation, after$-$sales service, warranties and repairs, and so on$.]],]]$