Answer:
Option 2, laying off some workforce will have the lowest initial cost.
Explanation:
In option 1 if an organization is going to replace existing equipment with the new machines there is a definitely high cost involved in it because we do know that modern and newer machines costs more.
In option 3, if we go for lower-grade quality, we may face lost sales, or sales return which will add up to our cost.
However, if we go for option 2. there is no upfront cost involved in this decision but rather our cost is saved.
Thus the organization must opt for the 2nd option in order to find the lowest initial cost.