integration by combining (or eliminating) stages
or separating (or adding) stages, respectively.
f Distribution Center (DC) Ð customer assignment:
Determining which DC(s) will serve which customer(
s).
- Plant product assignment: Determining which
plant(s) will manufacture which product(s).
- Buyer supplier relationships: Determining and
developing critical aspects of the buyer-supplier
relationship.
- Product differentiation step specification: Determining
the step within the process of product
manufacturing at which the product should be
differentiated (or specialized).
f Number of product types held in inventory: Determining
the number of different product types
that will be held in finished goods inventory.