Question

Ultimate responsibility for seeing that strategy is executed successfully primarily falls upon the shoulders of

A. A company's chief executive officer, its chief operating officer and the heads of major units (business divisions, functional departments and key operating units)
B. First-line supervisors who have day-to-day responsibility for seeing that key value chain activities are done properly
C. The company's board of directors because board members are the final authority in overseeing and conducting daily operations
D. A company's whole management team—each manager is responsible for attending to what needs to be done in his/her respective area of authority and thus should be held accountable for success or failure
E. All company personnel because all employees are active participants in the strategy execution process and the caliber of their actions have a huge impact on the ultimate outcome

Answer 1

The primary responsibility for successful strategy execution lies with the company's management team, including the CEO, COO, and department heads. They lead the strategic direction, while first-line supervisors and all employees contribute to daily operations and strategic goals. The board of directors oversees the company's interests but is not involved in everyday execution.

Step-by-step explanation:

Ultimate responsibility for seeing that strategy is executed successfully primarily falls upon the shoulders of company management at different levels. The hierarchy of authority in a company follows a chain of command where each employee, from first-line supervisors to the CEO, holds specific responsibilities. While the CEO, COO, and heads of major units lead the strategic direction and oversee its implementation, first-line supervisors ensure day-to-day operations align with strategic goals. All employees participate in the strategy execution process, but the management team is particularly accountable for attending to their respective areas of authority and ensuring success or failure.

The board of directors has an oversight role, ensuring the company is run in the interests of shareholders, but they are not typically involved in the daily operations of the company. Instead, they rely on company executives who have significant influence in nominating board members. As employees progress in their roles, they are expected to set and meet specific goals that contribute to their department's and the company's strategic objectives, for which they will be held accountable by their direct supervisors.