Final answer:
Option (B), Competition is the external influence that affects pricing decisions, a consideration separate from internal financial considerations and strategies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The external influence that affects pricing decisions amongst the options provided is B) competition. Salaries of production management, salaries of finance management, overall pricing objectives, and the company's overall marketing strategy are all internal factors. Competition, on the other hand, is an external factor that companies must take into account when setting prices.
They need to analyze market demand and competitor pricing to ensure they set prices that are competitive yet profitable. Frequent changes in pricing can result in menu costs, which are not only financial but can also affect customer perception and loyalty.