What is the primary operational difference between a divestiture and a reduction in force (RIF)?

• A. A Divestiture involves cutting costs internally; a RIF sells a unit
• B. A Divestiture involves selling a business unit; a RIF eliminates positions internally
• C. Both involve selling assets; no difference
• D. A Divestiture is voluntary; RIF is mandatory

Answer: (B)

The primary distinction is that a divestiture is an external action where a business unit is sold to another company, transferring ownership (and often some or all employees) to the buyer, while a reduction in force is an internal downsizing that eliminates positions within the organization without selling the unit. This explains why the correct choice is the best: it captures the external sale of a unit versus internal workforce reductions. In practice, divestitures involve a sale, potential transfer agreements, and possibly reallocation of staff to the buyer, whereas a RIF focuses on reducing headcount and costs within the existing organization, typically with severance or redeployment, and does not involve selling the unit. The other statements don’t fit because divestiture isn’t about cutting costs internally, a RIF isn’t about selling assets, and whether something is voluntary or mandatory isn’t the defining difference between the two.