The payment of efficiency wages can achieve productivity gains by attracting better quality job applicants. By offering higher wages than the market rate, employers can attract more skilled and productive workers who are willing to work harder in return for greater compensation. This can lead to increased productivity as these more motivated workers produce higher-quality output or complete tasks more efficiently. Additionally, by retaining high-quality employees with competitive wages, employers may also be able to reduce costs associated with turnover and training new hires. ********Therefore, option b is the correct answer.********