A chain typically implies linear, sequential relationships from one link to the next. There are two problems with this term. First, not all goods flow sequentially. Some supply chains involve concurrent material flow. For example, Dell's monitors ship concurrently with its computers. second, the information flow, which is often what is managed for competitive advantage in a supply chain, does not always flow sequentially. In fact, information that is shared with many nodes at once can result in faster, more accurate, and nimble supply chains.
