Final answer:
Pervasive control plans influence the effectiveness of applications control plans by establishing overarching company-wide policies and procedures that affect the entire organization.
Step-by-step explanation:
When addressing the question of how pervasive control plans relate to applications control plans, it is important to understand their roles within an organization's control environment. Pervasive control plans are not a subset of applications control plans; rather, they are overarching controls that apply to a range of systems and processes. The correct answer is that pervasive control plans influence the effectiveness of applications control plans.
Pervasive control plans include company-wide policies, procedures, and cultural elements that establish a tone and influence behavior across the organization. They can include controls related to the organizational structure, environment, and risk management processes. These controls are foundational and help to ensure that the more specific applications control plans can function effectively. While they do not directly increase the efficiency of applications control plans, they create an environment where those application controls can be upheld with greater integrity and reliability.
Therefore, the answer to the question is that pervasive control plans influence the effectiveness of applications control plans (option c). By setting the stage for an organized approach to risk management and control, pervasive plans make applications control plans more robust and reliable.