Global sourcing has become a way of life for retailers, manufacturers, and other industries. New sourcing locations provide a variety of products, components, technology, and repair and service options at competitive costs.

The first batch of product from the Chinese supplier was fine. The second batch, however, was not.

Transportation time and costs, for instance, are impacted by distance and geography.

The inspector discovered the supplier actually changed the manufacturing process without telling the railroad.

Firms must weigh mode costs against reliability requirements.