Final answer:
With the integration of technology and globalization, consumers have come to dominate global marketing and distribution through unprecedented access and flexibility in purchasing goods and services worldwide.
Step-by-step explanation:
The increasing importance of technology and globalization has fundamentally transformed traditional markets and the control of marketing and distribution globally. With the advent of communications technologies such as the internet, consumers now have the power to purchase products and services from all over the world, increasing the competition that local businesses face.
Similarly, business-to-business (B2B) websites enable companies to connect with suppliers and buyers internationally, further reinforcing the consumer's dominant role in today's market landscape. Therefore, the answer to the student's question is (a) consumers, as they are in control of marketing and distribution globally through their purchasing choices and the influence of online platforms.