The objectives of an organisation are the top-level “wants” of an organisation and are usually non- tangible and long term. Is this correct?

The statement is incorrect. In strategic management, there is a clear distinction between goals and objectives. Goals are broad, qualitative, and long-term statements that define what an organisation aims to achieve. Objectives, conversely, are the specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) actions required to meet those goals. They are tangible, quantifiable, and typically have a shorter-term focus. The question incorrectly describes goals while labelling them as objectives. Objectives provide the clarity and specific targets needed for departments and projects to execute the broader organisational strategy.

A. This is incorrect because the premise ("yes") is false. The description provided in the question misrepresents what objectives are in a strategic context.

B. This is incorrect because the premise ("yes") is false. While departments do set objectives, the definition given in the question is fundamentally flawed.

D. This is incorrect because objectives are not a "wish list." They are specific, committed, and measurable targets designed to drive action, not vague aspirations.

1. Lynch, R. (2018). Strategic Management. 8th ed. Pearson Education. In Chapter 4, "Strategic Purpose," Lynch distinguishes between general aims or goals and specific, quantified objectives that are used to measure performance against those goals. (Specifically, see section on 'Objectives' pp. 110-112).

2. Johnson, G., Whittington, R., Scholes, K., Angwin, D., & Regnér, P. (2020). Exploring Strategy. 12th ed. Pearson Education. Chapter 1, "Introducing Strategy," defines objectives as "specific statements of the aims or purpose of a business over a stated period" and emphasizes their role in translating mission and goals into actionable, measurable targets. (See section 1.2.2, 'Statements of mission, vision, values and objectives').

3. University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing. (2015). Mastering Strategic Management. Chapter 1, Section 1.4, "Assessing Organizational Performance." This text explicitly differentiates goals from objectives, stating, "A goal is a more general outcome you’d like to achieve... An objective is a specific, measurable action that must be completed to reach a goal." It links effective objectives to the SMART criteria.