Which statement best captures the influence scientists who discovered the process should have within the organization?

• A. Giving them greater influence may support innovation and improve future R&D, though strategic decisions should still involve senior management
• B. They should have no influence
• C. They should control finance
• D. They should lead marketing

Answer: (A)

Involvement of the scientists who uncover the process brings crucial technical insight into decision-making. Their firsthand understanding of what is feasible, what could be improved, and where bottlenecks lie can steer R&D toward projects with real potential and quicker, more practical progress. Empowering them to influence related decisions helps ensure innovations are technically viable and aligned with what the organization can actually deliver. At the same time, strategic choices—budgets, overall direction, major investments, and resource allocation—require the broader perspective and accountability of senior management to maintain coherence with the firm’s goals and risk appetite. So, giving scientists greater influence on R&D-related matters while keeping strategic decisions with senior managers captures the benefit of expertise without losing strategic governance. The other options miss this balance: involving them at zero influence ignores valuable knowledge; giving them control of finances or leading marketing would misplace authority and undermine governance.