Businesses in which sector provide information and knowledge-based support services?

The correct choice is the quaternary sector. This sector specifically focuses on knowledge-based activities involving services such as research and development (R&D), financial planning, consultancy, education, and IT services. Companies in the quaternary sector are essential for innovation and the development of new ideas, technologies, and processes, often relying on intellectual capabilities rather than physical inputs.

The other sectors do not align with the description. The primary sector deals with the extraction and harvesting of natural resources, such as agriculture and mining, emphasizing raw materials rather than information services. The tertiary sector involves the provision of services but generally focuses on more traditional service activities like retail, hospitality, and entertainment, rather than specialized knowledge-based services. The public sector encompasses government-operated services and institutions, which can include some knowledge services but is more focused on public administration and social services than strictly knowledge-based business activities.