Which of the following is NOT a primary activity in the value chain model?

In the context of the value chain model, procurement is not categorized as a primary activity. The primary activities are those directly involved in creating and delivering a product or service, including inbound logistics, operations, outbound logistics, sales and marketing, and service.

Inbound logistics involves the processes related to receiving, storing, and distributing inputs, while operations refer to the actual processes to transform inputs into finished products. Outbound logistics pertains to the distribution of the final product to customers. Sales and marketing focus on strategies to promote and sell the product, and service encompasses activities that maintain and enhance the product's value post-sale.

On the other hand, procurement refers to the processes involved in acquiring the goods and services a company needs to carry out its operations. Although procurement is essential to a company's functioning, it is classified as a support activity in the value chain rather than a primary activity because it doesn't directly involve the creation or delivery of the product. Supporting activities contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of primary activities and include procurement, technology development, and human resource management, among others. This distinction is important to understand how businesses structure their operations and the role of different activities within the value chain.