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Support activities (Porter’s value chain)

Support activities in Porter’s value chain enable and improve activities across the organisation. The standard categories are procurement, technology development, human resource management and firm infrastructure, including general management and related systems. They can be important sources of advantage; the label does not mean unnecessary overhead or a lower priority.

Worked example

Specialist recruitment and training improve an engineering service’s quality, while procurement secures suitable equipment. These support activities strengthen delivery rather than creating value only through cost cutting.

Common mistake

Putting marketing and sales among the standard support categories, or assuming procurement means the same activity as receiving and storing inputs.

Where it appears in your exams

QualificationExamRelationshipPeriod
ACCA BT Direct September 2026–June 2027
ACCA SBL Direct September 2026–June 2027
FIA FBT Direct September 2026–June 2027