Final answer:
The correct answer is 4. The term that describes a party providing a selling service for a manufacturer, with a short-term, commission-based relationship, is a manufacturer's export agent. They help manufacturers reach international markets without long-term costs and commitments.
Step-by-step explanation:
A manufacturer's export agent is the correct answer when describing a party that provides a selling service for a manufacturer, operates on a straight commission basis, and typically has a short-term relationship. This type of agent assists manufacturers in finding buyers for their products in international markets without the manufacturers having to establish their own sales forces or distribution networks abroad. The relationship is usually a contract-based engagement that focuses on selling the manufacturer's products for a commission, and it does not generally involve a long-term commitment or direct employment by the manufacturer.
In the context of market operations and considering market structures like pure competition, producers and manufacturers may turn to export agents to increase their ability to meet supply and demand conditions in global markets. These agents can be crucial for manufacturers that aim to expand their operations and want to explore overseas markets without incurring the long-term costs associated with building new factories, hiring a sales force, or establishing retail outlets, which can be costly and difficult in the short run. Over the years, these types of relationships enable manufacturers to tap into the benefits of having an absolute advantage or comparative advantage in production, which can be reflected in the equilibrium price of their goods on a global scale.
It should also be noted that exclusive dealing agreements - like those between manufacturers and certain dealers - can have legal and competitive implications. While they can be legal if aimed at encouraging competition, they can also limit competition if they provide a single dealer with exclusive selling rights that unfairly disadvantage competitors. This would not be the case with a manufacturer's export agent since they are designed to facilitate sales and not to restrict market competition.