3. The beer industry has seen a gradual increase from three major sellers (in 1990) to several hundred. Meanwhile, the number of cigarette manufacturers has stayed relatively constant. Although both goods are considered vices and thus unpopular, the industries have moved in different direc- tions. What economic theory can you suggest to explain this difference? (“Cigarettes have a negative reputation" is not a sufficient answer, as drinking is also considered a vice.)​

Garrett is an executive vice president at samm hardware. he researches a proposal by a larger company, maximum hardware, to combine the two companies. by analyzing past performance, conducting focus groups, and interviewing maximum employees, garrett concludes that maximum has poor profit margins, sells shoddy merchandise, and treats customers poorly. what actions should garrett and samm hardware take? a. turn down the acquisition offer and prepare to resist a hostile takeover. b. attempt a friendly merger and use managerial hubris to improve results at maximum. c. welcome the acquisition and use knowledge transfer to impart sam hardware's management practices. d. do nothing; the two companies cannot combine without samm hardware's explicit consent.