What term describes resources that are not allocated efficiently?

The term that best describes resources that are not allocated efficiently is "inefficiently." When resources—such as labor, capital, or land—are not used in a way that maximizes their potential output, they are said to be allocated inefficiently. This inefficiency can occur due to various reasons, including misallocation of resources, lack of coordination in production, or failure to meet consumer demand.

An efficient allocation means that resources are used in such a way that no additional output can be gained without sacrificing the output of another good or service. Therefore, when resources are described as inefficiently allocated, it implies that there is a potential for increased productivity that is not being realized.

Other terms, while they may imply some connection to inefficiency, do not directly signify this concept in the context of resource allocation. For example, "idle" suggests that resources are simply being unused, which is a specific instance of inefficiency but does not encompass all forms of inefficient allocation. "Effective" generally refers to the success of an action or policy rather than the optimal use of resources. "Redundant" implies an excess of resources that may not be needed, which could lead to wasted potential, but does not accurately capture the broader inefficiency in allocation.