Final answer:
The primary purpose of the management-by-objectives (MBO) approach is to align goal setting and planning within an organization. MBO aims to foster better performance through clear, jointly-formulated objectives and regular review of progress towards those goals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary purpose of the management-by-objectives (MBO) approach is a. Aligning goal setting and planning. Developed by Peter Drucker in the 1950s, MBO is a strategic management model that aims to improve the performance of an organization by clearly defining objectives that are agreed to by both management and employees. The fundamental idea behind MBO is to provide a clear understanding of goals so that management and employees can work towards the same objectives, thereby enhancing communication and empowering employees to take part in the goal-setting process and measurement of their performance.
MBO includes several key elements: setting company-wide strategic goals, defining objectives for each employee or department that align with those goals, regularly reviewing the progress made towards achieving these objectives, and providing feedback or rewards based on performance. This approach not only helps in clarifying what the organization aims to achieve but also involves employees directly in the organization's success.
By contrast, creating a dynamic and complex work environment (option b) is not the primary objective of MBO, though MBO can lead to a more engaged and dynamic setting. Reducing employee resistance to change (option c) might be a beneficial byproduct of MBO, as employees who participate in goal setting may more readily adapt to changes. Implementing standard operating procedures (option d) is part of organizational control, but not the central focus of MBO. Lastly, implementing a decision rule to respond to a designated problem (option e) is more related to problem-solving methodologies, rather than the overarching goals of MBO.