What benefit does operational efficiency provide to a company?

Operational efficiency is crucial for a company's success as it directly contributes to the ability to produce goods and services at a lower cost while maximizing output. This allows a company to offer better prices to customers, making its products or services more attractive compared to competitors. Additionally, enhanced operational efficiency typically improves service levels by streamlining processes and reducing delays, which can lead to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

In contrast, the other options highlight drawbacks or limitations that are not aligned with the benefits of operational efficiency. The notion of increasing expenses dramatically is contrary to the aim of achieving efficiency, which focuses on cost reduction. While operational efficiency can indeed enhance product quality, it does not inherently lead to slower service; rather, it typically aims to improve both quality and speed. Finally, operational efficiency allows a firm to scale more effectively, as streamlined processes and lower costs can support expansion rather than limit it. Thus, offering better prices and service levels is the primary benefit of achieving operational efficiency.