Supply chain management is the set of approaches and techniques that firms employ to efficiently and effectively integrate their suppliers, manufacturers, warehouses, stores, and other firms involved in the transaction into a seamless value chain in which merchandise is produced and distributed in the right quantities, to the right locations, and at the right time.

Refer to Additional Case 14.2. If Dean had fired Gloria immediately, the action would most likely be considered:

Additional Case 14.2 Gloria, an employee at Hamilton Resources, which is a unionized company, has performance and absenteeism problems. Gloria's manager, Dean, wants to fire her immediately. As the HR manager at Hamilton, you explain to Dean that he needs to try to improve the employee's performance first and save termination as a last resort. Sometime later, the CEO asks you to review and update the firm's employee discipline process. He wants to give employees as much responsibility for their own performance improvement as possible. He is also willing to invest in management training to ensure the best and most fair process. As HR manager, you will be responsible for training managers on the new discipline process. A) a violation of due process. B) an example of progressive discipline. C) a violation of Gloria's residual rights. D) in compliance with Gloria's union contract.

Branding benefits ________

A) both buyers and sellers B) only buyers C) only sellers D) only resellers E) neither buyers nor sellers