Marquand Says: Information Technology Has Had Its Biggest Impact on Business

question 146

Multiple Choice

Marquand says: Information technology has had its biggest impact on business in communication and access to data.Businesses can collaborate with colleagues in different locations and with external partners with ease.Businesses also have access to a greater range of information at a greater speed than ever before.And with this constantly updated information,businesses can plan quicker responses to real-time market conditions and increase efficiency. Stevenson responds: Information is important,but what's more important is how that information is used.And there is no more direct way that information technology has helped businesses than the ability to sell directly to consumers.Online selling has opened entirely new markets that allow businesses to make greater profits in an efficient manner.Many businesses,such as Amazon,have used online selling to disrupt industries.Without having to spend money on bricks-and-mortar storefronts,they can make billions in profits selling products at low prices.In addition,Amazon (along with Alibaba and many others) have opened efficient platforms allowing small and big businesses to sell around the world.
Which of the following is assumed by Marquand?

• A)All businesses now use information technology for communications and information.
• B)Relatively few businesses sell products online.
• C)Less information was available to businesses before the information technology revolution than there is now.
• D)Consumers preferentially choose to buy from businesses that use the latest information technology.
• E)Selling online is relatively unimportant to most businesses.

---

Definitions:

Equilibrium

A state in an economic model where demand equals supply, meaning there is no incentive for change in the market situation.

Marginal Rates Of Transformation

The rate at which one good has to be sacrificed to produce an additional unit of another good, holding technology constant.

Marginal Rate Of Technical Substitution

The rate at which one input can be reduced for an additional unit of another input, while keeping the level of output constant.

Marginal Rate Of Substitution

The rate at which a consumer is willing to substitute one good for another, keeping utility constant, reflecting the trade-offs between goods.