There is a shift in our economy from a manufacturing to a service orientation. The increase in service-sector will require the managers to work more with people rather than with objects and things from the assembly line.

This passage best supports the statement that:

The passage discusses the shift in the economy from a manufacturing focus to a service orientation, and how this change will require managers to work more with people than with objects from the assembly line. Here's the analysis of the options based on the passage:

1. Option A - managers should have a balanced mind:
   • The passage does not mention the need for managers to have a balanced mind. Instead, it focuses on the shift from manufacturing to service sectors and how it will impact the role of managers in terms of working with people.
   • This option is not supported by the passage.
2. Option B - assembly line will exist in service organisations:
   • The passage does not suggest that assembly lines will exist in service organizations. It contrasts the work with people in the service sector to working with objects in the manufacturing sector.
   • This option is not supported by the passage.
3. Option C - interpersonal skills will become more important in the future workplace:
   • The passage clearly states that as the economy shifts to a service orientation, managers will need to work more with people, indicating that interpersonal skills will indeed become more important in the future workplace.
   • This option is strongly supported by the passage.
4. Option D - manufacturing organisations ignore importance of people:
   • The passage does not suggest that manufacturing organizations ignore the importance of people. It only contrasts the focus on people in service sectors versus objects in manufacturing sectors. It does not make a negative statement about manufacturing organizations.
   • This option is not supported by the passage.
5. Option E - service organisations will not deal with objects and things:
   • The passage discusses how managers in service organizations will work more with people, but it does not claim that service organizations will not deal with objects and things at all. It focuses on the shift from manufacturing, where managers work with objects, to services, where the focus is on people.
   • This option is not fully supported by the passage.
6. Final Answer:
   • The best supported statement by the passage is C. interpersonal skills will become more important in the future workplace.