Final answer:
The replenishment cycle in supply chain management includes processes such as order arrival, production scheduling, retail trigger, and manufacturing. The just-in-time delivery system is a key example of how these components work to improve efficiency and quality while impacting labor and production costs. Option a)order arrival is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The processes included in the replenishment cycle are important parts of an effective supply chain management system, focusing on the restocking of inventory and production materials. The replenishment cycle involves several critical steps that enhance both efficiency and product quality. One key process is order arrival where items ordered by a company arrive and are checked for quality and quantity. Another integral component is production scheduling, which is the planning of when and how products will be produced; this entails detailing the necessary tasks, prioritizing production, and allocating available resources to various production activities. In addition, a retail trigger is an event or a threshold that initiates the process of replenishment in a retail setting; it can be based on inventory levels, demand forecasting, or a planned schedule.
Lastly, manufacturing itself forms part of the replenishment cycle in a broader view, particularly when referring to components of lean methodologies like just in time delivery, which streamlines inventory levels and emphasizes on-time supply to manufacturing processes. An example of lean methodology integration in the manufacturing industry is the just in time delivery system adopted by American car manufacturers in the 1980s. Rather than storing large quantities of car parts in nearby warehouses, companies implemented a system where needed parts are delivered daily, directly impacting the manufacturing process by reducing storage costs and increasing quality control. Suppliers had to be located within one day's drive to facilitate this arrangement, which led to competition among suppliers to drive down costs, often at the expense of labor conditions. This business innovation dramatically altered supply chain dynamics.