Final answer:
The least impact of employee training on strategy execution is in the scenario of continuous product innovation, where flexibility and a creative mindset are more impactful.
Step-by-step explanation:
In which instance is the training and retraining of employees likely to make the least important contribution to good strategy execution? The answer is when the strategy execution effort is predicated on continuous product innovation. In scenarios A, B, C, and D, the training and retraining of employees are crucial to adapting to new skills, technology, and capabilities needed for strategy execution. However, in the case of continuous product innovation, while training is important, it's the flexibility and creative mindset that contribute significantly as discussed in honing job-specific skills and understanding the importance of a company's core competency. Changes in technology, competitive capabilities, and operating methods all demand employee training. Yet, continuous innovation benefits from a broader emphasis on a culture of creativity and adaptable learning processes beyond specific skillsets.