Final answer:
D. productivity, cultural change, and succession planning
The HR activities crucial to competitive survival include productivity, cultural change, and succession planning, as they enable companies to be efficient, adaptable, and future-ready.
Step-by-step explanation:
The human resource activities that are critical to competitive survival are D. productivity, cultural change, and succession planning. These aspects are fundamental in ensuring that a company operates efficiently (productivity), adapts and aligns its workforce with its strategic vision (cultural change), and has a plan for future leadership and key role continuity (succession planning). Effective HR strategies in these areas help businesses maintain their competitive edge, adapt to market demands, and ensure long-term success.