the critics also contend that competition often precludes the more efficient use of resources that cooperation allows. when people work together, coordination of effort and an efficient division of labor are possible. by contrast, competition can inhibit economic coordination, cause needless duplication of services, retard the exchange of information, foster copious litigation,and lead to socially detrimental or counterproductive result such as business failures, mediocre product, unsafe working conditions, and environmental neglect. when presented with examples of the beneficial results of competition, the critics argue that on closer inspection the supposed advantages turn out to be short-lived, illusory, or isolated instances.