Final answer:
The exemption from obtaining an EA licence cannot be determined without specific context. In terms of barriers to entry, government-enforced examples include limiting taxicab licenses, while non-governmental examples include trademarks and unique resources. Requirements for safety tests and economies of scale do not represent barriers to entry.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of the questioned posed revolves around companies that are exempt from obtaining an EA licence. Without specific context, it's unclear what EA license is being referred to, but generally, an Employment Agency (EA) license is required for companies that match employees with employers.
None of the options mentioned (startups with less than 10 employees, publicly listed companies, companies in the construction industry, or subsidiaries of multinational corporations) automatically qualify for an exemption from obtaining such a license without context-specific regulations.
Now, let's address each situation in terms of barriers to entry:
- Government-enforced barrier to entry: A city limiting the number of licenses for taxicabs is an example of this, as it restricts the number of participants in the market.
- Barrier to entry that is not government-enforced: A well-known trademark acts as a non-governmental barrier to entry due to brand recognition and consumer loyalty. Owning a spring with pure water is another example, as it provides a unique resource not easily replicated by competitors.
- Situations that do not involve a barrier to entry: The requirement for taxicab drivers to pass a safety test and have insurance does not restrict market entry; it is a standard regulation for public safety. Similarly, large economies of scale in an industry signify high initial investment costs but do not inherently restrict new entities from entering the market.