DSS research and practice in perspective

https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-9236(94)90045-0Get rights and content

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to assess the state-of-the-art in the Decision Support Systems (DSS) field from both a research and a practice perspective. Three main dimensions of DSS research and practice are addressed: 1) supporting human decision-making processes, 2) integrating DSS into the organizational context, and 3) identifying new application domains. The related analysis and discussion provides a better understanding of past developments in the DSS field and insights into future evolution patterns.

References (80)

  • C.A. Bartlett et al.

    Managing across Borders

  • P.C. Bell

    Decision Support Systems: Past, Present and Prospects

    Journal of Decision Systems

    (1992)
  • R.H. Bonczek et al.

    Foundations of Decision Support Systems

    (1981)
  • T. Bui et al.

    Identifying Organizational Opportunities for GDSS Use: Some Experimental Evidence

    Decision Support Systems: The International Journal

    (1987)
  • V. Bush

    As we may think

    Atlantic Monthly

    (1945)
  • P. Checkland

    From Optimizing To Learning: A Development of System Thinking for the 1990's

    Journal of the Operational Research Society

    (1985)
  • C. Chin et al.

    Computer Support In Distributed Decision Environments

  • C.U. Ciborra

    Reframing The Role Of Computers In Organizations: The Transaction Cost Approach

    Office Technology and People

    (1987)
  • J.C. Courbon

    Transparency of Data, Information and Models in Decision Support Systems

  • B. Cox

    Object-oriented Programming: An Evolutionary Approach

    (1986)
  • G. DeSanctis et al.

    A Foundation for the Study of Group Decision Support Systems

    Management Science

    (1987)
  • C. Eden

    A Framework for Thinking about Group Decision Support Systems

    Group Decision and Negotiation

    (1992)
  • J.J. Elam et al.

    Can Software Influence Creativity?

    Information Systems Research

    (1990)
  • D.C. Engelbart

    A Conceptual Framework For The Augmentation Of Man's Intellect

  • H.B. Eom et al.

    A Survey of Decision Support System Applications (1971-April 1988)

    Interfaces

    (1990)
  • A. Foroughi et al.

    An Empirical Study of an Interactive, Session-oriented Computerized Negotiation Support System

    INSEAD Working Paper Series

    (1992)
  • J.R. Galbraith

    Organization Design

    (1977)
  • M.J. Ginzberg et al.

    Methodologies for DSS Analysis And Design: A Contingency Approach To Their Application

  • A. Gorry et al.

    A Framework For Management Information Systems

    Sloan Management Review

    (1971)
  • R.B. Grohowski et al.

    Implementation of Electronic Meeting Systems at IBM

    MIS Quarterly

    (1990)
  • A. Hatchuel et al.

    Rational Modeling in Understanding and Aiding Human Decision Making: About two Case Studies

    European Journal of Operational Research

    (1986)
  • J.C. Henderson et al.

    Cognitive Learning Theory and the Design of Decision Support Systems

  • R.M. Hogarth

    Judgment and Choice: The Psychology of Decision

    (1980)
  • R.M. Hogarth et al.

    Forecasting and planning: An evaluation

    Management Science

    (1981)
  • G.P. Huber

    Cognitive Style As A Basis For MIS And DSS Design: Much Ado About Nothing?

    Management Science

    (1983)
  • G. Huber

    Issues in the Design of GDSS

    MIS Quarterly

    (1987)
  • I. Illich

    Tools for Conviviality, Perennial Library

    (1973)
  • B. Ives et al.

    User involvement and MIS success: a review of research

    Management Science

    (1984)
  • Cited by (48)

    • Online video channel management: An integrative decision support system framework

      2021, International Journal of Information Management
      Citation Excerpt :

      For example, Arnott and Pervan (2005) identified 1020 DSS articles in major IT journals between 1990 and 2003. The field is interdisciplinary in nature, and while DSS is considered a subfield of information systems, a great deal of DSS work is done across subject boundaries in areas such as marketing, expert systems, psychology, ergonomy, artificial intelligence, and management science/operations research (Angehrn and Jelassi, 1994; Holsapple et al., 1995). Given this interdisciplinary nature and the broad scope of DSS research, which includes any type of research where computational tools are used to assist and aid human judgment, it is difficult to create an all-encompassing theory of DSSs.

    • Behavioral economics for decision support systems researchers

      2019, Decision Support Systems
      Citation Excerpt :

      A central theme of this discussion is that the decision theory typified by Kahneman, Tversky and Thaler and related psychology and economics researchers should supplant some early BE theory, especially the phase model, as reference theory. Twenty-five years ago, Angehrn and Jelassi [10] argued that Simon's theory “has become a serious obstacle for the evolution of DSS theory and practice” (p. 269). Arnott and Pervan [11], in an analysis of 21 years of DSS research, found that 60% of citations to BE in the most recent period of their analysis were from Simon's theory.

    • A Spatial-Based Decision Support System for wood harvesting management in mountain areas

      2017, Land Use Policy
      Citation Excerpt :

      The economic results are expressed as the most likely harvest cost, in consideration of the operating features of the compartment. The adoption of SEM at a local level would represent an effective tool to support local forest managers’ decisions (West et al., 2013), and would lead to several benefits concerning planning and management activities (Angehrn and Jelassi, 1994; Hung et al., 2007). The study area where SEM was built is located in the upper Susa valley, in the Piedmont Region, North-West Italy.

    • Decision support for water quality management of contaminants of emerging concern

      2017, Journal of Environmental Management
      Citation Excerpt :

      The definition of DSSs (Power and Sharda, 2009) is “an interactive computer-based system that helps people use data, documents, knowledge, and models to solve problems and make decisions”. DSSs are built to support people in making decisions, not to make the decision itself (Angehrn and Jelassi, 1994; Power and Sharda, 2009). DSSs are regularly used by decision makers all over the world (Delpla et al., 2014; Mysiak et al., 2005; Power and Sharda, 2009).

    • A linguistic mobile Decision Support System based on fuzzy ontology to facilitate knowledge mobilization

      2016, Decision Support Systems
      Citation Excerpt :

      A Decision Support System consists of three elements: a user interface subsystem, a database subsystem, and a model processing subsystem [14]. With the help of this structure, users are able to manage and analyze data for decision making purposes [15]. The users access the system through an individually tailored user interface, which lately has taken a more web based approach, and where mobile devices give the user the possibility to constantly have access to the system [16].

    • A multiattribute GDSS for aiding problem-solving

      2004, Mathematical and Computer Modelling
    View all citing articles on Scopus
    1

    Albert Angehrn, Associate Professor of Information Systems at INSEAD, holds a doctoral degree in mathematical sciences from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH). His research focus lies on cognitive aspects of decision-making, intelligent forms of human-computer interaction, and management applications of Multimedia and Computer Supported Collaborative Work. Besides publishing in various academic journals and books, Dr. Angehrn's activities include the design of Decision Support and Executive Information Systems. His work in this field received different international awards, such as the Apple Trophy 1990, the Distinguished Contribution Award at the 1990 International Competition for Outstanding Decision Support Achievements sponsored by the Institute of Management Sciences, and the first prize at the same competition in 1992.

    2

    Tawfik Jelassi is Associate Professor of Information Systems at the European Institute of Business Administration (INSEAD). He received a Ph.D. in Information Systems from New York University and diplomas in Computer Science and Business Administration from the Université de Paris Dauphine and the Université de Tunis. His current research work investigates strategic uses of information technology in Europe and the development of decision and negotiation support systems. Dr. Jelassi contributed articles to several journals including Decision Sciences, European Journal of Operational Research, Journal of Management Information Systems, Theory and Decision, Information and Management, Decision Support Systems, and OMEGA. He is editor or member of the editorial board of several academic journals.

    View full text