Which statement illustrates how technology can reduce travel requirements for decision meetings?

• A. Video conferencing can be used to reduce the need for managers to travel to meetings to make decisions, saving time and on travel costs.
• B. Spreadsheets improve the accuracy of calculations.
• C. Databases can improve speed of information retrieval.
• D. Internet sites can be used to find information.

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is how technology can enable virtual decision-making by removing the need for people to travel to meetings. Video conferencing lets managers and other decision-makers join discussions from different locations in real time, so they don’t have to travel. This saves time and travel costs, and often speeds up the decision process because people can meet more easily whenever a decision is needed.

Spreadsheets improve the accuracy of calculations, but they don’t reduce travel requirements for meetings. Databases speed up information retrieval, which helps with data access, not with eliminating the need to be physically present. Internet sites provide information, but again, don’t directly address cutting travel for decision meetings.