A sound justification for unrelated diversification is

a$)$ based on the premise that this strategy will help to stabilize earnings, that is$,$ offsetting market downtrends in some of the company's businesses by cyclical upswings in its other businesses.

b$)$ based on the premise that this strategy can help meet or exceed the company's expectations for rapid or continuous growth.

c$)$ based on the premise that this strategy could resuscitate struggling companies whose operations can be turned around with the aid of the parent company's financial resources and managerial know$-$how.

d$)$ based on the premise that this strategy can support managerial motives including prospects for higher compensation.

e$)$ based on the premise that this strategy can result in risk reduction by spreading a company's investments over a set of diverse industries.