Stately Research is a firm specializing in providing investment research relating to individual stocks. They have not implemented the Asset Manager Code of Professional Conduct and have recently been cited by regulatory authorities for deficiencies in their research. Specifically, they have been cited for unclear language regarding price target valuation methods and their associated risks, the percentage of securities that were rated a "buy," "hold," or "sell," and failure to adequately disclose analyst industry view ratings which ranked their analysts recommendations against a benchmark return such as the S& 500. Which of the following is least likely to be responsible for causing the security violations?

A) Upper management not supporting a higher level of ethical behavior.

B) Inadequate technological resources to adequately research investments.

C) Lack of funding or adequate staffing to conduct appropriate research.

D) The staff acting in an unethical manner.