Final answer:
Option D, which research and development (R&D) projects to undertake, is an example of an unstructured decision due to its complexity and the requirement for managerial judgment beyond straightforward quantitative analysis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The option that represents an unstructured decision is D. which research and development projects should be undertaken. Unstructured decisions are typically non-routine and involve a high degree of uncertainty; they often require managerial judgment and are not easily quantified or programmed. Unlike structured decisions, such as determining inventory levels, assembly line speeds, or maintenance schedules, unstructured decisions often entail complex considerations that do not have a clear-cut answer, requiring a business to carefully evaluate creative options, potential innovations, and strategic implications.
For example, decisions on products the firm should produce, how the products should be produced, how much output to produce, the pricing of products, and how much labor to employ are influenced by factors such as production and cost conditions, market structure, market power, and barriers to entry. In the context of research and development (R&D), these factors are combined with the aspirations to innovate and strategically position the firm within a competitive industry.