Which of the following is a primary goal of supply chain management?

The primary goal of supply chain management is centered around reducing waste and optimizing efficiency. This focus is crucial because effective supply chain management aims to streamline operations, minimize costs, and enhance customer satisfaction by improving the flow of goods, information, and resources from suppliers to end customers.

By emphasizing waste reduction, supply chain management seeks to eliminate unnecessary expenditures and inefficiencies throughout the production and distribution processes. Optimizing efficiency involves not only lowering costs but also improving responsiveness and flexibility in meeting customer demands. These objectives lead to better resource utilization, faster delivery times, and ultimately, a stronger competitive edge.

Maximizing short-term profits, while potentially beneficial, could lead to neglecting long-term sustainability and efficiency improvements. Increasing the number of suppliers might enhance flexibility or sourcing options, but it does not address the fundamental efficiencies in the overall supply chain. Driving up inventory levels can lead to increased holding costs and waste rather than optimizing the balance between supply and demand. Hence, focusing on waste reduction and efficiency aligns best with the objectives of effective supply chain management.