4. The normative model of strategic decision-making suggests that executives examine a firm’s external environment and internal
conditions, and in using the set of objective criteria they derive from these analyses, can decide on a strategy.
A. conditions, and in using the set of objective criteria they derive from these analyses, can decide
B. conditions and they use the set of objective criteria derived from these analyses in deciding
C. conditions and, in using the set of objective criteria derived from these analyses, deciding
D. conditions and, using the set of objective criteria derived from these analyses, decide
E. conditions and, in their use of the set of objective criteria they derive from these analyses, they decide
This is a deeply meaning -based question. That the executives decide is the crux of the matter. Therefore, we need to use a verb for the decision making part namely 'decide' rather than the participial 'deciding'
Get rid of B and C instantly.
Get rid of A for saying can decide, which denotes a capability rather than an occurrence. E is wrong for using a misleading idiom 'in using' as though they decide while using, during using, whereas the intent is to use the criteria to help decide the strategy.
This is an out and out a meaning based question in which the answer is beyond the utility of grammar alone.
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