202. Kingsland companies often outsource data-entry tasks to foreign firms. The results of this outsourcing have been shown to lower costs for Kingsland companies in several different ways, and high costs can potentially bankrupt Kingsland companies. The decision to outsource is rare, except during recessions, when the Kingsland economy is weak. Therefore, Kingsland companies probably outsource their work because doing so helps them avoid bankruptcy.

Which of the following would it be most useful to determine in order to evaluate the argument?