Final answer:
The most difficult activity for operations and supply chain personnel is noted to be globalization, due to the complex challenges in managing international supply chains and adapting to global markets.
Step-by-step explanation:
The text indicates that globalization is perhaps the most difficult of all the activities that operations and supply chain personnel perform. Despite the advancements in technology making it easier for consumers to order products worldwide, globalizing the supply chain involves complex challenges.
These include managing long-distance economic connections of production and marketing, adapting to various international agreements and treaties, and keeping abreast of changes in transportation costs and technology. The development of global commodity chains, where economic links connect workers and corporations internationally for manufacture and marketing, exemplifies the intricate nature of these challenges.
For instance, maquiladoras in northern Mexico that import pre-cut fabric pieces to sew into garments reflect the integration required in a global supply chain. Moreover, the shift towards electronic commerce has increased competition, requiring businesses to manage relationships across vast distances. Operations and supply chain professionals must navigate these complexities to ensure the effective globalization of their business practices.