If an alternative policy could encourage both , instead of , consumers would benefit.

invention and competition; invention and monopoly.

Explanation:

If an alternative policy could encourage both invention and competition, instead of invention and monopoly, consumers would benefit.

For instance, if the federal government in a particular country decides to develop and introduce an alternative policy to the existing invention patent policy available to all manufacturing industries, such that a monopolistic policy is being changed to a competitive policy.

Consequently, this would greatly be to the benefit of the consumers because the level of output or production would increased dramatically, since it is now a competitive market rather than the monopolistic or oligopolistic market. Also, when there's competition between manufacturing companies, the price of goods and services would fall.

Hence, the consumers in a particular country would benefit from an invention and competition policy rather than an invention and monopoly policy.

b is the correct answer

answer; ///(d); determining who competes most closely   with whom evaluating whether industry driving forces and competitive pressure favor some strategic groups and hurt others, and ascertaining whether the profit potential of different strategic groups varies due to the strengths and weaknesses in each groups respective market positions;