Final answer:
The statement that planning improves coordination and control by linking people and subsystems together is true. It helps in aligning organizational activities, optimizing resource allocation, and establishing control mechanisms by setting performance benchmarks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Planning improves coordination and control by linking people and subsystems together is indeed true. In the context of business and organizational management, planning is a fundamental function that helps align the various elements of a company or department. By establishing clear plans, organizations can set objectives, allocate resources efficiently, and guide employees towards common goals. This process ensures that different parts of an organization work in sync with one another, reducing duplication of effort and ensuring that everyone is aware of their roles and responsibilities.
Additionally, planning is crucial for control mechanisms. Through planning, managers set the benchmarks against which performance is measured. When coordinated correctly, this allows for smoother operations and makes it easier for managers to identify where corrective actions are needed, if performance deviates from the plan. Moreover, planning contributes to organizational efficiency and productivity, which are some of the intended positive aspects of bureaucracies.