________ को समाज में अपेक्षाकृत सजातीय और स्थायी विभाजनों के रूप में परिभाषित किया गया है, जो पदानुक्रमित रूप से व्यवस्थित होते हैं और जिनके सदस्य समान मूल्यों, हितों और व्यवहार को साझा करते हैं।

Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): Brand equity enables firms to charge premium prices and build long-term customer loyalty. Reason (R): Brand equity is developed only through extensive advertising expenditure by the firm. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

If a chipmaker offers PC manufacturers a 2.5% discount for settling their bill within 7 days instead of the standard 30 days, the chipmaker is providing a: