Final answer:
Operations, not publicity, advertising, or sales promotion, are an element of the management activity in a business, as this encompasses day-to-day production and service tasks related to goals achievement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is referring to an element of the management activity in a business. Management activities in business primarily involve planning, organizing, directing, and controlling resources to achieve organizational goals. Operations fall within the scope of management activities because they encompass the day-to-day tasks required for the production of goods or the delivery of services, including process management, quality control, and the efficient use of resources. Therefore, b. operation is the correct element of management activity in a business setting. While publicity, advertising, and sales promotion are important aspects of marketing activities, they do not fall under the typical categorization of management activities.