IMO B.

"By applying optimization techniques commonly used to plan operations"

think about who is applying this optimization techniques

a company’s managers can determine how much effort should be dedicated to each of the company’s products in order to meet its short and long term goals

here its should be refering to a proper noun, but we have company's managers as noun not company itself. Isn't it wrong?

whats wrong with Option D ?

IMO...

answer should be B

But i totally agree with allamkalyan , Its should refer to Company and not Company's manager,,,,

In D,

....should be dedicated to each of these products in order to meet the company’s short ...

"each of these" is wordy and ambagious...

also

"it" doesnt have a clear antecedent,,,


anyone wants to take it from here????....

allamkalyan,

This is a case of dangling modifier. so the modifier should be immidiately succeeeded with a noun.

Hence it should be company's managers.

In D, it does not have any referrent.

sorry ...
i am talking about option C.
can anyone explain why option C is wrong?

Well since this is a modifier question, the only options that are right are the ones that have company's manager or manager after the comma. Hence that leaves only option B & E

In E the pronoun 'these' does not have an antecedent.

Also in B 'its' is a possessive pronoun and rightly refers to the possessive form of company. Hence B should be the right answer.

between B and E

will prefer B

1.it is possible to determine how much effort ought to be devoted to each of a company’s products in order to meet its goals in both the short and long terms<- dangling modifier is required to answer thus INCORRECT

2.a company’s managers can determine how much effort should be dedicated to each of the company’s products in order to meet its short and long term goals < - Correct and ITS refers to EACH OF COMPANY"S PRODUCTS

3.it can be determined by company managers how much effort ought to be devoted to each of the company’s products in order to meet its goals, both short and long term < - MISSING DANGLING MODIFIER AND IS PASSIVE THUS INCORRECT

4.it may be possible for company managers to determine how much effort should be dedicated to each of these products in order to meet the company’s short and long term goals < - MISSING DANGLING MODIFIER AND "THESE" HAVE NO NOUN REFERENCE

5.managers at a company can determine how much effort ought to be dedicated to each of these products in order to meet the company’s goals in both the short and long term <- "THESE" HAVE NO NOUN REFERENCE

Agree with same reasoning as given by Nerveofsteel ...
Can any1 explain where to use Ought to..is it mean u hv to do it...u hv no option and Should be means---u should do it...but no one is forcing you.m i correct ?