One argue against it is one of Tufte's Design Principles. “Graphics give the viewer the greatest number of ideas in the shortest space of time using the least ink in the smallest space”. So, it could be useful.

However, the available vis in BI tools are very weak in general, and therefore they are somehow dangerous for wrong interpretations --> finally agree but only when vis is done not in a good manner.

We should always seek improving the data analytics in the business, however, data visualization in Business Intelligence tools are always necessary!

Clarification question: I assume you mean "Intuitive and creative decisions under uncertainty and limited time is positively associated with the use of data visualization in Business Intelligence tools", right?

Jonas - Yes, that was my interpretation.

Matthias - I agree with you because I think you just reversed what was meant, and that that was the reason for the note by Jonas.

"A." - I think you are likely correct, and in a more universal sense. As a mathematical statistician I often observed how much more effective a graphic can be than words. Equations are useful too for clarity, but fewer people relate to them. However, in my experience, graphics are useful for many people to grasp concepts necessary for the clarity needed to foster creativity. It is hard to be creative, if you do not understand the issues.

In statistics, as well as virtually any other field, I expect that jargon is used that may put off people who do not always work in that field. (There are misleading terms in statistics, I know, my pet peeve being "significance.") It has been found, I believe, that advances in a field often come from outside of that field by someone not confined to a paradigm. It would stand to reason that a visual aid may help overcome communication issues due to jargon, and promote cross-fertilization of ideas. Even confined within the scope of business, or within any other discipline, there may be communication issues which are clarified by graphics or other visuals.

Today, when people "multi-task" (which technically never actually happens - attention is just rapidly rotated), and thinking is often too shallow for constructive creativity, anything that can give someone the "big picture," may help foster useful ideas ... which then need to be vetted thoroughly, as the details are important for an idea to be implemented practically, or even at all. But without first understanding an overall concept, progress cannot be made (I've seen plenty of examples!), and data visualization seems like an important step for many circumstances.

Cheers - Jim