Final answer:
The correct option in the final answer is a. The correct principle of scientific management related to the question is 'Unity of command', which aligns with Frederick Taylor's emphasis on structured hierarchies and clear directives to enhance workplace efficiency.
Step-by-step explanation:
The principles of scientific management, developed by Frederick Taylor, focus on enhancing workplace efficiency and productivity. Among the options provided, command-and-control, related to policy application, and unity of command, direction, and control, which are concepts related to organizational structure, the closest principle associated with Taylor’s scientific management is unity of command. This principle essentially means that each employee has one supervisor to report to, reducing the potential for confusion and ensuring clear instruction and direction. Unity of command is an essential part of Taylor's approach, which underscores the importance of structured management and clearly defined hierarchies in achieving efficiency and productivity.
Taylor's scientific management also incorporated time and motion studies, where tasks were analyzed and broken down into their constituent parts for better efficiency. His idea was that by training and developing workers to perform their tasks in the most optimal way, both the employer and employee would benefit, leading to the most profit for the employer and the best outcome for the employee. Given the context and Taylor's focus on efficiency within the workplace, the correct answer to the student's question is option (a) Unity of command.