A supply chain network is defined as which of the following?

• A. A network of warehouses with no suppliers
• B. A network of companies made up of many suppliers, selling to many immediate customers
• C. A single company with no external suppliers
• D. A system connecting suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors

Answer: (D)

A supply chain network describes how actors across the whole chain are linked to move materials, information, and money from suppliers to customers. The best description is a system that connects suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors, reflecting how multiple firms collaborate across stages to add value. This captures the end-to-end, cross‑organisational nature of modern supply chains, including the flows between entities. It’s not just a network of warehouses, which focuses on storage sites without showing upstream or downstream links, and it’s not a single company with no external suppliers, which misses the inter-firm interactions. The emphasis on connecting suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors signals the full integration across the chain.