Which of the following best describes Porter's Support Activities?

• A. Directly related to production, sales, marketing, delivery and services
• B. Activities that provide the support necessary for the primary activities to occur
• C. Cost measurement and allocation
• D. Time-to-market

Answer: (B)

In Porter’s value chain, activities are split into those that directly create value and those that enable that value creation. Support activities provide the necessary infrastructure, resources, and systems for the primary (value-creating) activities to operate effectively. This includes things like firm infrastructure, human resource management, technology development, and procurement.

Thus, describing support activities as providing the support necessary for the primary activities to occur best captures their role—they enable the main processes without being the processes that directly produce or deliver the product or service. The other options point to activities or goals tied to the primary value-creating steps (or to cost measurement and speed), rather than to the enabling role of the support activities.