Answer :
In the context of economics, the short run is a period during which at least one factor of production is fixed, and businesses can only adjust the variable factors to meet changes in demand. Among the options you provided, the one that represents the short run is (c) Starbucks hires 10 new employees.
In this scenario, Starbucks is adjusting the number of employees, which is a variable factor of production, to meet its operational needs. Hiring new employees can be done relatively quickly compared to the other options, as it doesn't require significant long-term commitments or changes in fixed factors.
Option (a) Starbucks purchases 100 lbs. of coffee beans and option (b) Starbucks purchases 20 laptop computers represent the acquisition of raw materials and capital goods, respectively. These actions may not necessarily reflect short-run adjustments, as they can be part of long-term planning or strategies.
Therefore, the correct answer is (c) Starbucks hires 10 new employees, as it best represents an adjustment in the short run by modifying the variable factor of labor to meet demand.
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