Final answer:
The element of organizational structure that involves the separation of tasks is specialization. It allows individuals or groups to focus on specific subsets of tasks, leading to increased efficiency and expertise.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the elements of organizational structure that involves the separation of tasks is c. specialization. Specialization refers to the process wherein different individuals or groups within an organization focus on a specific subset of tasks, allowing for more efficiency and expertise in those areas.
Addressing the provided reference questions, the answer to question 16 which asks for a characteristic of bureaucracies is a. Coercion to join. Bureaucracies are known for their hierarchy of authority, explicit rules, and division of labor, but not coercion to join. For question 17, a. polarization describes the practice where the differences between low-end and high-end jobs become greater, and the number of people in middle levels decreases. Finally, the process that increases the amount of specialization and differentiation of structure in societies is part of societal evolution as societies become more complex.