{"title":"A framework for interpreting decision support system use in organisations","authors":"B. Doolin","doi":"10.1108/13287269780000735","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"Traditional definitions of decision support systems emphasise their support role in individual decision making and utilise notions of rational choice. By considering decisions as an organisational activity, the interpretation of decision support systems use in organisations can move beyond this technical rational understanding, to include potential political and legitimating roles for these systems. These three possible interpretations are discussed in relation to the implementation of a large decision support system in a local government context described by Dutton (1981). In its technical role, the system was used as part of a rational planning agenda. However, the system was clearly also used politically, to promote particular interests and as a lever in negotiations between various groups. Part of the appeal of the decision support system was the appearance of rationality and technical neutrality that it gave to the planning and decision making process, and the legitimation it provided with external c...","PeriodicalId":38615,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Systems and Information Technology","volume":"43 1","pages":"1-22"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0000,"publicationDate":"1997-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1108/13287269780000735","citationCount":"2","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Systems and Information Technology","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1108/13287269780000735","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"Computer Science","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 2
Abstract
Traditional definitions of decision support systems emphasise their support role in individual decision making and utilise notions of rational choice. By considering decisions as an organisational activity, the interpretation of decision support systems use in organisations can move beyond this technical rational understanding, to include potential political and legitimating roles for these systems. These three possible interpretations are discussed in relation to the implementation of a large decision support system in a local government context described by Dutton (1981). In its technical role, the system was used as part of a rational planning agenda. However, the system was clearly also used politically, to promote particular interests and as a lever in negotiations between various groups. Part of the appeal of the decision support system was the appearance of rationality and technical neutrality that it gave to the planning and decision making process, and the legitimation it provided with external c...
期刊介绍:
The Journal provides an avenue for scholarly work that researches systems thinking applications, information systems, electronic business, data analytics, information sciences, information management, business intelligence, and complex adaptive systems in the application domains of the business environment, health, the built environment, cultural settings, and the natural environment. Papers examine the wider implications of the systems or technology being researched. This means papers consider aspects such as social and organisational relevance, business value, cognitive implications, social implications, impact on individuals or community perspectives, and the development of solutions, rather than focusing solely on the technology. The Journal of Systems and Information Technology is open to a wide range of research methodologies and paper styles including case studies, surveys, experiments, review papers, design science, design thinking and both theoretical and methodological papers. The focus of the journal will be to publish work that fits into the following broad areas of research: Behavioural Information Systems and Human-Computer Interaction, Data Analytics, Data, Information and Security, E-Business, Intelligent Systems and Applications, Logistics and Supply Chain Management/Optimisation, Social Media Analysis, Technology Enhanced Learning.