Final answer:
Apple's inability to meet the iPhone 4 demand indicates a problem with supply chain management, involving potential issues like insufficient inventory, limited manufacturing capacity, or logistic bottlenecks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The failure to meet demand for the iPhone 4 after its launch, where 1.7 million units were sold in just three days, points to an issue with supply chain management. A company's supply chain involves the coordination of all the steps required to produce an item and get it to the customer, including sourcing materials, manufacturing, and distribution. If any part of this chain fails or cannot keep up with customer demand, it leads to stockouts and waiting periods for customers.
In this case, Apple's problem could have originated from several points within their supply chain, such as insufficient inventory, limited manufacturing capacity, logistic bottlenecks, or delays in shipping and handling. This demonstrates the importance of effective supply chain planning to anticipate consumer demand and adjust the production and distribution processes accordingly.