What is the primary action involved in management-by-exception?

Management-by-exception is a management style that focuses on monitoring organizational performance and addressing issues that deviate from predefined standards or expectations. This approach emphasizes the identification and correction of variances, which aligns directly with offering corrective criticism and negative feedback.

In this context, managers typically intervene only when performance falls below the expected level, allowing employees the autonomy to work independently unless issues arise that necessitate managerial attention. By focusing on exceptions to the norm, managers can address problems effectively without micromanaging daily operations.

In contrast, the other options represent different management strategies that do not embody the essence of management-by-exception. Continuous positive feedback may encourage performance but does not align with the corrective focus of management-by-exception. Encouraging open communication and facilitating team-building activities suggest proactive engagement rather than the reactive nature of the exception management style.