Which characteristic is associated with strategic management?

The characteristic associated with strategic management focuses on enhancing the organization's alignment and adaptability with the external environment. This involves understanding market trends, competitive dynamics, and customer needs, allowing an organization to proactively adjust its strategies. By improving the fit with the external world, organizations can capitalize on opportunities and mitigate threats, ultimately leading to sustainable growth and success.

Strategic management is inherently about planning for the future and responding to external factors, which is why developing a comprehensive plan that considers external influences is critical. This approach enables organizations to remain relevant and competitive in a constantly changing market landscape.

The other options do not align with the essence of strategic management. For instance, shifting power to employees might involve management tactics or organizational culture changes but does not necessarily constitute a strategic management characteristic. Similarly, avoiding change contradicts the proactive nature of strategic planning, and specific implementation plans, while important, are more tactical than strategic and do not encompass the broad focus on external alignment that strategic management emphasizes.