Final answer:
A supply chain includes all entities involved in the product creation, from the sourcing of raw material to final product delivery, while a marketing channel focuses on the path products take from vendors to consumers, omitting raw material suppliers. The correct answer is option (c).
Step-by-step explanation:
Differences between Supply Chain and Marketing Channel
The supply chain and the marketing channel are two fundamental concepts in the study of business operations, logistics, and marketing. It is crucial to understand their differences to appreciate how products and services are delivered to consumers.
A supply chain includes all the processes and entities involved in creating a product, from raw material sourcing to the final delivery of the product to consumers. It encompasses suppliers of raw materials, manufacturers, warehouses, distribution centres, and retail outlets. On the other hand, a marketing channel refers to the path through which goods and services travel from the vendor to the consumer, including distributors, wholesalers, and retailers, with a stronger emphasis on the strategies for selling and promoting products.
Considering the options provided, the correct statement describing how a supply chain differs from a marketing channel is c. A supply chain includes suppliers that provide raw material inputs to a manufacturer. This statement identifies the inclusion of upstream entities — suppliers of raw materials — which are typically not considered part of marketing channels.