What is the primary characteristic of dependent demand?

The primary characteristic of dependent demand is that it is linked to production schedules. This means that the demand for certain items, such as materials or components, is directly related to the demand for finished goods. For instance, if a company is manufacturing bicycles, the number of tires, frames, and seats it needs is determined by how many bicycles it plans to produce. Consequently, dependent demand is influenced by the production of these final products rather than being driven by individual consumer choices or market trends.

In contrast to this, characteristics like being driven solely by market trends or requiring detailed consumer behavior analysis pertain more to independent demand, where finished goods are sold to consumers based on market conditions and preferences. Additionally, independent demand is typically not influenced directly by the manufacturing schedule itself, which differentiates it from dependent demand.