A text describes a factory's production process for widgets: 'Raw materials enter Stage 1, where they are molded. In Stage 2, the molded parts are cooled for 30 minutes. Stage 3 involves quality inspection. Finally, in Stage 4, finished widgets are packaged.' A diagram shows Stage 1 feeding into Stage 2, Stage 2 feeding into Stage 3, and Stage 3 feeding into Stage 4. If a bottleneck occurs because the cooling process in Stage 2 takes longer than expected, which stage's output would be immediately affected downstream?
✓ Correct Answer: Option C
A bottleneck in Stage 2 (cooling) means fewer items will be ready to move to Stage 3 (quality inspection). Therefore, Stage 3's input and subsequent output would be immediately affected downstream.