This picture tends to fit with such concepts as decoupling points, whereby there are
strategic inventory holdings in supply chains from which agile responses can be given
to the market place. As indicated in the literature, this may be due to the need to
manage volatility in local markets along with global supply chains. In fact, such
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factors as global sourcing and product proliferation may well be counteracting the
application of contemporary supply chain concepts as reflected in the constant
national inventory ratios during the past few years.