Final answer:
Distribution centers are part of the outbound supply chain, functioning to store and distribute goods to customers. Suppliers of raw materials and partly assembled products are associated with the inbound portion of the supply chain. The value chain concept highlights the specialization and segmentation in global production and trade.
Step-by-step explanation:
The outbound portion of a company's supply chain includes the activities involved in delivering the finished product to the customer. From the given options, distribution centers are a part of the outbound supply chain. They are crucial nodes where goods are stored, managed, and then distributed to the final destination. In contrast, suppliers of raw materials, suppliers of product ideas and designs, and suppliers of partly assembled products fall within the inbound supply chain, focusing on the production and assembly stages.
The concept of the value chain illustrates how specialized global trade has become. It describes the production of a good in various stages, often with countries specializing in different segments of production. For example, a company may design its product in one country, manufacture parts in another, and assemble the final product elsewhere. This trend is further facilitated by advancements in communication, information sharing, and transportation.