Final answer:
Environmental scanning is a key process for businesses to identify and interpret marketplace trends, helping them forecast and adapt to changes affecting their industry.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of environmental scanning is to E) identify and interpret trends in the marketplace. Environmental scanning is a strategic approach used by organizations to stay informed about the external factors influencing their market and industry. This method aids in understanding the current and potential factors that can impact the business positively or negatively. Environmental scanning involves gathering information on factors such as customer demographics, regulatory changes, technological advances, and competitors' actions.
A business might use environmental scanning to adjust its strategies, innovate products, or enter new markets in response to the identified trends. While options B and D might suggest a more proactive control over trends, environmental scanning is more about awareness and informed response rather than controlling the trends directly in the marketplace or workplace.