In the context of the Global Timber Industries Corporation $($GTIC$)$ example, please assess the final paragraph and choose the option that most accurately characterizes GTIC$$s activity, and the external entity connected in GTIC's external linkage within Porter's Value Chain framework.

Group of answer choices

Logistics and Client Engagement

Sales and customer

Operations and Financial Transactions

Sales and Supply Chain Management

Logistics and Supplier RelationsScenario: Global Timber Industries Corporation $($GTIC$)$

$1$ The Global Timber Industries Corporation $($GTIC$)$ manufactures and markets several wood

$2$ products on a worldwide scale. In its early history, GTIC started its operations in Mineral,

$3$ Washington, and now has extended its operations to many states, including Alabama, Arkansas,

$4$ Maine, Missouri, and Montana. Outside the US$,$ GTIC operates in several countries, including

$5$ Canada, Germany, Austria, Sweden, New Zealand, and Indonesia. Next year, they plan to expand

$6$ their operations in Poland, Finland, and China. Presently, GTIC is a well$-$established company

$7$ that has many customers and competitors who are distributed worldwide. It enjoys a global

$8$ reputation for the quality and wide range of its simple wood products.

$9$ GTIC$$s products are typically sold to other companies that use GTIC$$s products as components

$10$ for consumer products. Examples of GTIC$$s products include wooden louvers $($used to make

$11$ window blinds$),$ small wooden bases $($used to make mousetraps$),$ and small pieces of wood shaped

$12$ like snowmen $($used to make winter ornaments$).$ These are only a sample of GTIC$$s products.

$13$ GTIC manufactures an extensive range of wood products to satisfy a large customer base.

$14$ The management of GTIC prides itself on its cost$-$efficient operations and decisions. The

$15$ company motto is: "A penny saved is a penny earned." In addition, they share their cost savings

$16$ with their customers.

$17$ GTIC uses information technology extensively to support its business. For example, GTIC has

$18$ been an industry leader in using Artificial Intelligence $($AI$)$ software, computer$-$aided design

$19($CAD$),$ computer$-$aided manufacturing $($CAM$),3-$D printing, and electronic ordering techniques

$20$ such as Electronic Data Interchange $($EDI$)$ to reduce paperwork and overhead costs. Presently,

$21$ many of GTIC$$s customers submit electronic orders via the Web. GTIC$$s sales department and

$22$ GTIC$$s finished goods warehouse almost instantly receive these orders. If the requested items

$23$ are in stock, the customer$$s order is filled and shipped immediately with a copy of a billing

$24$ invoice. An electronic copy of the billing invoice is also sent to GTIC$$s accounting office. If the

$25$ requested items are not in stock, then an electronic message is sent from the finished goods

$26$ warehouse to GTIC$$s production shop so that the items may be produced. The production shop

$27$ then takes the help of the procurement department to order raw materials from GTIC$$s suppliers

$28$ using a separate EDI system.