Is a subsection of a population with a set of shared social, cultural, and historical experiences; with relatively distinctive beliefs, values, and behaviors; and with some sense of identity of belonging to the subgroup.

ethnic group              

Explanation:

The answer is -- "ethnic group".

         An ethnic group can be defined as a population or a community which is made up of people those who share a common background or culture or descent.

      Ethnic people have their own distinctive rituals, traditions and customs. These people always practice their traditions. The ethnicity status is usually  inherited based on the place or society where one lives. The social complexity that is mostly found in today's contemporary society is ethnic.

Thus the answer is ---

ethnic group    

vertical merger is the term used for the joining of two or more firms involved in different stages of producing the same good or services.

explanation:

the answer is:

c. economic output