Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of supply chain responsiveness?

The characteristic that is NOT related to supply chain responsiveness is the ability to reduce operational costs. Supply chain responsiveness primarily focuses on the ability of a supply chain to react quickly and effectively to changes in demand or supply conditions. This includes meeting short lead times, adapting to forecast variances, and achieving high service levels, all of which emphasize agility and the capacity to respond to evolving customer needs.

In contrast, while reducing operational costs is undoubtedly important for overall supply chain efficiency and profitability, it is not a direct indicator of responsiveness. A responsive supply chain may sometimes incur higher operational costs due to the need for flexibility and speed in operations, such as expediting shipments or maintaining buffer inventory to handle uncertainties. Therefore, the ability to manage costs does not align with the core attributes traditionally associated with supply chain responsiveness.