Which of the following is an example of a company trying to influence government to hurt its competition?
A. a toy manufacturer seeking help from the Consumer Product Safety Commission
B. local chambers of commerce holding fund-raisers for congressional candidates
C. Microsoft lobbying the Department of Justice to investigate Google's Book Search service
D. IBM being sued under the Sherman Act for monopolistic practices in the 1970's.
Can't find this in my book help!
Hmm --
A. The toy manufacturer wants to make sure that its products are safe for children.
B. I don't see any company mentioned here.
C. One company apparently has accused a rival of unfair practices.
D. Practices of 40 years ago can hardly hurt a company today.
I think the answer to this question is C because my book says: Business groups are not always united on one side of an issue. Competitors within an industry extend their rivalries to the political arena. Just recently Microsoft lobbied the Justice Department to look into Google's Book Search project and was reported to hold "screw Google" meetings in Washington to plot strategy for getting regulators to look at their competitor's business.
This is what I found. I think this is the right answer. Am I on the right track?
Yes. C is the answer.
Thanks
You're welcome.
To determine which of the given options is an example of a company trying to influence the government to harm its competition, you can analyze each option and consider the actions and motivations behind them.
A. A toy manufacturer seeking help from the Consumer Product Safety Commission
In this scenario, the toy manufacturer is seeking assistance from a government agency responsible for ensuring product safety. This action does not involve directly targeting or harming competition. Therefore, this option is unlikely to be an example of a company trying to harm its competition through government influence.
B. Local chambers of commerce holding fund-raisers for congressional candidates
Local chambers of commerce conducting fund-raisers for political candidates is a traditional practice to support candidates who generally favor businesses and the local economy. While this action could indirectly influence government decisions that benefit businesses, it does not specifically target or harm a particular competitor. Hence, this option may not meet the criteria of a company trying to influence the government to harm its competition.
C. Microsoft lobbying the Department of Justice to investigate Google's Book Search service
In this case, Microsoft, a competitor of Google, is actively attempting to influence the Department of Justice to investigate Google's Book Search service. This action directly aims to harm Google, its competition, through government intervention. Therefore, this option appears to be an example of a company trying to influence the government to hurt its competition.
D. IBM being sued under the Sherman Act for monopolistic practices in the 1970s
This option does not align with the notion of a company trying to influence the government deliberately. Instead, it involves IBM being sued by the government under antitrust legislation for monopolistic practices. The government's legal action against IBM was not influenced by IBM itself to target its competition. Thus, this option does not demonstrate a company actively trying to harm its competition through government influence.
Based on the analysis, it appears that the correct answer is C. Microsoft lobbying the Department of Justice to investigate Google's Book Search service, as this is an example of a company trying to influence the government to harm its competition.