In which stage of supply chain management will the firm's management turn its attention to consolidation of the various departments that make up operations in order to solve the firm's problems, with a focus on customer service?

Choice "a" is correct. In the cross-functional teams stage of supply chain management, the firm's management will turn its attention to consolidation of the various departments that make up operations in order to solve the firm's problems, and the focus will be on customer service. Choice "b" is incorrect. In the integrated enterprise stage of supply chain management, the firm's management will move away from simple consolidation of its operations to an internally-integrated supply chain, which all work together towards the main business issue of the cost of customer service. Choice "c" is incorrect. In the extended supply chain stage of supply chain management, integration moves external to the firm to involve those outside the firm who are able to work as a unified team in an attempt to obtain slow, profitable growth. Choice "d" is incorrect. In the supply chain communities stage of supply chain management, the extended supply chain forms a single competitive entity with a synchronized supply chain and a complex system of networks.