Which of the following is NOT a primary activity in Porter’s value chain?

• A. Service
• B. Inbound logistics
• C. Marketing and sales
• D. Human resource management

Answer: (D)

In Porter’s value chain, activities are split into primary activities that directly add value through the stages of producing and delivering a product or service, and support activities that enable those primary activities to run smoothly. The primary activities include inbound logistics (handling inputs), marketing and sales (creating demand and facilitating purchases), and service (after-sales support).

Human resource management, on the other hand, is a support activity. It covers recruiting, training, compensation, and developing the organization’s capabilities. While these activities are essential for enabling the primary activities to operate effectively, they do not themselves directly transform inputs into the final product or service for the customer.

So, the item that is NOT a primary activity is the human resource management function.