Final answer:
Elijah is involved in the planning function, as he is evaluating strategic options for his company's production process, considering moving from manual to automated widget production.
Step-by-step explanation:
Elijah is engaging in the planning function of managerial tasks. When an individual considers whether to continue a manual process or to automate it, they are looking at the strategic approaches needed to achieve their company's long-term goals. This involves assessing the costs, benefits, potential risks, and the impact on productivity and quality of output associated with both options.
The decision to either maintain manual production or move towards automation is a critical one, as it can affect various factors such as labor costs, production speed, and the consistency of the widgets produced. Automation might lead to a mechanized work environment with a greater emphasis on producing identical products efficiently across all locations.