Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) Practice Exam

What approach can address concerns about sharing access to inventory?

1. Engage customers in the process

2. Allow the manufacturer to mediate

3. Limit communication to essential partners

4. Reduce inventory standards

The correct answer is: Allow the manufacturer to mediate

The approach of allowing the manufacturer to mediate can effectively address concerns about sharing access to inventory because it introduces a neutral party who can facilitate communication and coordinate efforts between various stakeholders. This mediation can help establish trust and transparency, alleviating fears that partners may have about shared inventory access due to competitive or proprietary concerns. The manufacturer, often having an overarching view of the supply chain, can help balance the needs and interests of all parties involved and establish standardized practices regarding inventory sharing. This ensures that sensitive information is protected while fostering collaboration. Engaging customers in the process can also be beneficial, but it may not directly address inventory concerns unless accompanied by a framework for sharing data securely. Limiting communication to essential partners could lead to missed opportunities for collaboration and an incomplete understanding of the inventory situation across the supply chain. Reducing inventory standards may seem like a solution, but it does not inherently resolve the concerns about access and could lead to additional complications regarding stock levels and service levels.