Final answer:
The JIT philosophy does regard workers as assets, not merely as a cost element, which is true. This aligns with the forward-thinking views of Enlightenment thinkers who believed wealth could be expanded, and the market revolution, which transformed the U.S. economy, is also true. Option A
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'A fundamental tenet of the JIT (Just-In-Time) philosophy is that workers are assets, not a cost element' refers to the business practice that emphasizes the importance of human resources in an organization. In the context of JIT, this is true.
JIT is a lean manufacturing methodology that aims to reduce waste in production, which includes reducing unnecessary inventory costs. It requires high-quality work and commitment from employees, recognizing them as valuable assets contributing to efficiency and quality improvements, instead of merely viewing them as a variable cost to be minimized.
The Enlightenment thinkers indeed rejected the mercantilist idea that wealth is finite, proposing instead that wealth can be created through trade, industrialization, and other economic activities. They believed that economies were not zero-sum games but could grow and create additional wealth for all involved.
The market revolution indeed brought about significant social and economic changes in the United States, such as the transition from a pre-industrial, agrarian economy to one characterized by machines and market-oriented industry, which is true. option A