Which of the following is a characteristic of just-in-time inventory management systems?

Just-in-time inventory systems aim to minimize inventory levels by receiving materials close to the time they are needed in production or sale. Because inventory buffers are reduced, the organization has less room to absorb defects, delivery failures, or poor-quality inputs. Therefore, JIT systems rely heavily on high-quality materials, dependable suppliers, accurate demand information, and strong production scheduling. Option A is incorrect because JIT seeks to reduce safety stock, not depend on users determining large safety stock levels. Option B is wrong because JIT principles can be used by organizations of different sizes if supplier reliability and process discipline exist. Option C is overly negative and inaccurate; while JIT may affect supply chain inventory distribution, it can improve efficiency when properly managed. Therefore, Option D is correct.