Answer:
The correct answer is letter "A": The company is on a tight deadline to complete a major project for an important client.
Step-by-step explanation:
Coercion is the act by which a party forces to act another against its will because of a threat or an adverse situation. In the case given, as employees are underperforming, executives might find and excuse in an upcoming deadline of a major project for an important client to urge employees to hurry up in their jobs, otherwise the goal will not be met.