Decision technology systems: A vehicle to consolidate decision making support

摘要

The practice of management is a complex process that requires art, science and technology. Methodologies from a variety of disciplines have been generated to facilitate this process. Computer information systems (CIS) have been developed to deliver these methodologies and to provide knowledge relevant for effective management. Since accurate decisions are required at each step of the process, the development effort has focused on CISs that support decision making. Traditionally, the support has been provided in a segmented fashion and for separate phases of the decision making process. To be absolutely effective, the support should be integrated and complete. There have been efforts to provide the required CIS support, but these systems have inherent conceptual shortcomings. Moreover, the newer and enhanced systems create additional problems that will prevent them from providing integrated support for all phases of the decision making process. This paper examines the practice of management. Then traditional and enhanced information systems support is reviewed and the inherent shortcomings and unresolved integration problems are explained. Finally, an alternative approach, referred to as a Decision Technology System (DTS), is proposed to resolve the difficulties.