Final answer:
The boldfaced word 'which' in the sentence is a relative pronoun used to introduce additional information about 'small companies.' Relative pronouns relate to the main sentence by introducing a relative clause. The correct option that identifies 'which' in this context is 'a. Relative.'
Step-by-step explanation:
In the given sentence, the boldfaced word 'which' is used to introduce a subordinate clause providing additional information about 'small companies.' This type of pronoun is specifically called a relative pronoun. Relative pronouns are used to connect a clause or phrase to a noun or pronoun, providing more details or information about it. They relate to the main sentence by introducing a relative clause. Some common relative pronouns include 'who,' 'whom,' 'whose,' 'which,' and 'that.'
The demonstrative pronouns, such as 'this,' 'that,' 'these,' and 'those,' are used to point to specific things, but this is not the function of the word 'which' in the sentence. Indefinite pronouns, on the other hand, refer to nonspecific persons or things and include words like 'anyone,' 'everyone,' 'someone,' 'anything,' 'nothing,' etc., which are not being used in this case. Finally, interrogative pronouns are used to ask questions, such as 'who,' 'what,' 'where,' 'when,' 'which,' but in the context of this sentence, 'which' is not being employed to ask a question.
Therefore, the correct option that identifies the type of pronoun 'which' in the sentence is option a. Relative.