Which function manages the flow and storage of goods from origin to consumer?

• A. Inventory Control
• B. Logistics
• C. Supply Chain Management
• D. Production

Answer: (B)

Logistics focuses on planning, execution, and control of the movement and storage of goods, from the point of origin to the point of consumption. It includes transportation, warehousing, inventory management, packaging, order fulfillment, and distribution networks to ensure products reach customers efficiently and cost-effectively. In international contexts, it also covers activities like freight forwarding and customs clearance that keep goods moving across borders.

Supply chain management is the broader coordination of all partners and activities across the entire network of suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. Inventory control deals specifically with monitoring stock levels and replenishment, not the full flow of goods. Production is about creating the goods themselves. Therefore, logistics is the function that directly manages the flow and storage of goods from origin to consumer.