Final answer:
A central characteristic of postindustrial economies is the shift in workplace culture from factories to more diversified settings (option a) that focus on services and information, indicative of greater urbanization and the effects of globalization.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristic central to postindustrial economies is the shift from manufacturing-focused work to economies based primarily on services and information. This shift has resulted in workplace culture changes, where work settings are now more diversified beyond the traditional factory setting. This diversification of work settings is a key indicator of a postindustrial economy which moves towards professional services, healthcare, data processing, finance, and technology industries.
An increase in the service industry leads to the development of urban centers as populations migrate towards urban environments for these new types of employment. This urban migration signifies the shift from rural to urban life, which is contrary to the idea that postindustrial economies would lead to an increase in rural populations.
Further compounded by globalization, postindustrial societies are experiencing changes in work, leisure, and social life, where the very fabric of these societies is being reshaped by global trade, pervasive technology, and intensified work disciplines. Globalization and the emphasis on service and information industries over manufacturing have become the staples of the postindustrial economy.
Therefore, the answer to the student's question is a. Workplace culture shifts from factories to diversified work settings.