Optimization-SC-MOdifiers

[rishisbook]

By applying optimization techniques commonly used to plan operations, 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.
A. 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
B. 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
C. 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
D. 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
E. 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

Correct answer is B.But my question is whether you can use 'a company's managers' as the modified noun.

Guys..Please explain..

[jnelson0612]

You can indeed. It is the managers who are going to be applying the techniques; "a company's" just gives you added description as to which group of managers.

[ajaykraju]

I am confused whether choice b is right or wrong? As choice b and e both corrects the modifier error, both have pronoun issue. In coice b, its have no clear referrent, though company is implied. Choice e is mentioned wrong saying these have no clear referent. can instructor through more light, if I am missing some thing!

[jnelson0612]

I am confused whether choice b is right or wrong? As choice b and e both corrects the modifier error, both have pronoun issue. In coice b, its have no clear referrent, though company is implied. Choice e is mentioned wrong saying these have no clear referent. can instructor through more light, if I am missing some thing!

The answer is B.

"its" is fine with referring to "company's" because "its" is a possessive pronoun. "company's" is also a possessive, so they are a good match.

For example, here's a simpler sentence:

"The dog's bowl is red and its collar is blue."

Do you see how the "its" clearly refers to "dog's"?

I hope that this helps!