Final answer:
The action of checking product samples to ensure compliance with specifications is an example of the controlling function of management, which is centered around monitoring performance and correcting deviations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The example of checking a sample of products to determine whether they are in compliance with specifications primarily represents the controlling function of management. Controlling involves ensuring that everything occurs in conformity with established standards through activities like inspections and evaluations. This process of monitoring performance and taking corrective action is essential to maintain the desired level of quality and to correct any deviations from the standards set during the planning process. Some examples include a quality control chemist in a pharmaceutical company measuring the volume of cough syrup dispensed by machines, a factory manager assessing the proportion of defective products, and a restaurant chain's quality control specialist verifying the amount of soda in serving sizes.