7.1. Service supply chain suppliers and cruise suppliers
One of the most important factors for those involved in a Service Supply Chain (SSC) is striving for service excellence, not only among members of the chain but for the final customer of the chain as well. It is difficult for suppliers to ensure their product will contribute to service quality. In addition to providing quality goods, suppliers must also make an effort to ensure their products are used correctly and to their full potential. The best suppliers will adopt a proactive approach including cooperative efforts in employee training and developing proper SOPs for the use of their supplies. A key factor in ensuring thorough understanding of the service culture of an organization is the socialization of the suppliers. While it might be taken for granted in the service industry that a customer-centric focus must be placed on quality, it may not be as clear for a supplier typically serving manufacturing supply chains where quality means meeting specifications without regard to final usage.