Final answer:
Information technology (IT) has created additional value in several ways: reducing operational costs, improving the quality of products and services, and optimizing the balance between cost and the timely delivery of value activities, contributing to positive environmental and economic shifts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Information technology (IT) has been able to create additional value by reducing costs, improving quality, and balancing the cost and timeliness of value activities; hence, the correct answer is D. all of the above. IT has enabled greater efficiencies in production and sales through telecommunications, making it less expensive to manage long-distance economic activities. Additionally, IT has contributed to a shift in labor demand, where low-wage labor’s demand has decreased due to automation and the ability to outsource to other countries, while high-wage labor’s demand has increased because of greater productivity enabled by technology.
Moreover, the advent of information and communications technology (ICT) has had significant positive environmental externalities. This includes the shift to digital services, which leads to reduced resource consumption and promotes environmental sustainability. For example, online shopping has proven to be more efficient and environmentally friendly compared to traditional shopping, largely due to more efficient delivery logistics. In summary, IT has created value in multiple facets of the modern economy, influencing cost, quality, time, labor markets, and environmental sustainability.