Which of the following is NOT a key component of supply chain management?

Transportation is indeed a critical function within supply chain management, playing a vital role in the movement of goods from one location to another. However, if we consider the key components of supply chain management, planning, sourcing, and returns are often emphasized in many frameworks.

Planning involves forecasting demand, managing inventory levels, and aligning supply chain processes to meet customer requirements efficiently. Sourcing pertains to the procurement of goods and services, ensuring the right quality at the best cost, while returns cover processes related to managing returned products and reverse logistics, which are essential for customer satisfaction and inventory management.

In contrast, while transportation is crucial for actual logistics operations, it may not be categorized as a core component in high-level discussions of supply chain management concepts. This distinction might lead some to consider transportation less central than planning, sourcing, or the returns process in broader supply chain strategy discussions.