In the context of improving service lags, which control measure should be applied?

Decentralizing decision-making and facilitating teamwork is an effective control measure for improving service lags because it empowers employees at various levels to take initiative and respond more rapidly to issues as they arise. When decision-making is decentralized, frontline employees often have the authority to make choices that enhance customer service and operational efficiency without waiting for approvals from higher management levels. This agility can significantly reduce delays and help in addressing service lags effectively.

Additionally, fostering teamwork promotes collaboration and communication between team members, enabling them to share insights and best practices, which can lead to a more streamlined service delivery process. In service-oriented contexts, where immediate responsiveness and adaptability are crucial, this approach allows teams to work together to identify bottlenecks and implement solutions more swiftly.

While increasing productivity and reducing costs, dealing with complexity, and implementing strict guidelines can have their merits, they do not directly address the need for rapid response and flexibility required to tackle service delays. Instead, they might introduce additional layers of rigidity or oversight that can hinder the responsiveness needed in a fast-paced service environment. Thus, the emphasis on decentralization and teamwork is particularly advantageous for enhancing service efficiency.