Attention aware systems: Theories,applications, and research agenda

Human perceptual and cognitive abilities are limited resources. Attention is the mechanism used to allocate such resources in the most effective way. Current technologies, in addition to allowing fast access to information and people, should be designed to support human attentional processes on which they impose further strain. This paper analyses the issues related to the design of systems capable of such support: attention aware systems. We introduce the research aimed at understanding and modelling human attentional processes, including perceptual and cognitive processes as studied in cognitive psychology, as well as rhetorical, aesthetic, and social aspects related to attentional mechanisms. We analyse current approaches to the design of attention aware systems along three major features: detection of user’s current attentional state, detection and evaluation of possible alternative attentional states, strategies for focus switch or maintenance. Finally, we discuss the most promising research direction for the development of systems capable of supporting human attentional mechanisms.     

Decision support systems

Decision support system (DSS) has almost become a generic term for anything that helps a manager's decision making. This paper reviews developments that have taken place both in theory and practice and assesses the prospects for DSS over the next ten years.     

Decision support systems

Decision support systems are the next stage on from spreadsheets. They are more sophisticated, incorporating a database, report generator, statistical analysis and modelling capabilities. Users may not need all this, though, and should choose a DSS to fit their particular problem.     

A research framework for Web-based open decision support systems

With the prevalence of the Web, most decision-makers are likely to use the Web to support their decision-making. Web-based technologies are leading a major stream of researching decision support systems (DSS). In this paper, we propose a formal definition and a conceptual framework for Web-based open DSS (WODSS). The formal definition gives an overall view of WODSS and creates a uniform research framework for various decision support systems. The conceptual framework based on browser/broker/server computing mode employs the electronic market to mediate decision-makers and providers, and facilitate sharing and reusing of decision resources. We also analyze the basic functions and develop an admitting model, a trading model and a competing model of electronic market in WODSS based on market theory in economics. These models reveal the key mechanisms that drive WODSS function efficiently. Finally, an illustrative example is studied to support the proposed ideas.     

Decision support systems: An expert systems approach

This paper provides a conceptual framework for designing decision support systems (DSS) using an expert systems approach. Currently there is a significant trend towards the use of knowledge-based systems techniques in DSS design, but a comprehensive framework is yet to be proposed. Our paper addresses this problem and presents such a framework. Efforts are currently underway to design, implement and test a system based on this framework.     

Decision support system concepts in expert systems: An empirical study

This paper reports on a survey carried out on 67 ES to investigate whether they employ DSS concepts. The author examines several DSS frameworks and proposes a questionnaire model to conduct the survey. The survey data are analysed and the paper concludes that the three fundamental DSS issues: semi-structured task, support, and effectiveness are explicitly applied in ES. It shows also that although both DSS and ES have similar aims, they accomplish them in completely different ways. The differences are in the boundary of problem space and the way to tackle problems.     

Decision support systems: Alternative perspectives and schools

This paper reviews and compares four distinct decision support system (DSS) perspectives or ‘schools’: Decision analysis, decision research, decision calculus, and implementation process. Each school represents a relatively coherent perspective for DSS development; all four address the development and use of computer-based tools that support and aid managers in their role as decision makers. They differ, however, in terms of the nature of the decision situation envisaged, the phase of the decision process considered, the primary aims for a DSS development effort, the nature of the learning to be achieved and the phase of the development process that is emphasized. The purpose of the review is an attempt to establish a more constructive approach to understanding the central tenets and challenges for DSS. At the same time, the unique concerns and distinct contributions of the different schools suggest that it is difficult to define a single approach that satisfies equally well all considerations and all demands.     

Flexibility in component manufacturing systems: evaluation framework and case study

Traditional component manufacturing systems have been optimized for either small scale craft production or for mass production of a small variety of high volume parts. Trends towards intermediate volumes and larger variety of parts have exposed the need for intelligently embedding flexibility in manufacturing systems and processes. The literature offers only few attempts to value component fabrication flexibility in a systematic way. In this article a 5-step framework for valuing flexibility and ranking of manufacturing processes under uncertainty is developed. A discrete time simulation is used to predict profit, remaining tool value and machine utilization as a function of three probabilistic demand and specification scenarios. A case study demonstrates the simulation and contrasts both a high volume (automotive) and a low volume (aerospace) market situation across six different processes ranging from punching to laser cutting. It is found that for intermediate, uncertain production volumes alternative manufacturing processes that embed flexibility carefully in one or more dimensions can outperform traditional processes that are either completely non-flexible (e.g., stamping) or completely flexible (e.g., laser cutting). It is also shown that flexibility in parts manufacturing is a complex topic because flexibility can be embedded in the parts themselves, in tooling or in the process parameters.     

Simplicity in cognitive assistive technology: a framework and agenda for research

Technology offers substantial benefits to the many people with some form of cognitive disability. But the power of technology often comes in a package whose complexity is a barrier to many users, leading to calls for designs, and especially designs for user interfaces, that are “simple”. This paper analyzes the idea of simplicity, and suggests (a) that simplicity in a user interface is not a unified concept, but rather has distinguishable facets, and (b) that simplicity must be defined in terms of the cognitive capabilities of a user, so that what is “simpler” for one user may be “more complex” for another. Despite (b), the prospects for universal design in this area are good, in that interface technology with the flexibility needed to produce “simple” interfaces for a range of users with different cognitive strengths will be of value in addressing the overall design space of interfaces for a broad audience. While it is possible to sketch the outlines of a useful theory of simplicity, the sketch reveals much that is not fully understood. It also reveals opportunities to rethink the architecture of user interfaces in a way that will benefit user interface development generally.     

Information systems security research agenda: Exploring the gap between research and practice

This paper undertakes a systematic review of the Information Systems Security literature. The literature review consists of three parts: First, we perform topic modeling of major Information Systems journals to understand the field's debates. Second, we conduct a Delphi Study composed of the Chief Information Security Officers of major corporations in the US to identify security issues that they view as important. Third, we compare Topic Modeling and the Delphi Study results and discuss key debates, gaps, and contradictions within the academic literature. Further, extant Information Systems Security literature is reviewed to discuss where the academic community has placed the research emphasis and what is now required in the discipline. Based on our analysis, we propose a future agenda for Information Systems security research.     

Decision support and control for large-scale complex systems

The technical and social systems of the present day are ever more large, complex and complicated objects. Their models are characterized by numerous state and control variables, time delays, and different time constants. Also they show constraints in their information infrastructure and risk sensitivity aspects. Such systems are called large-scale complex systems (LSS). Hierarchical approach which has been for several decades one of the most utilized methodologies for controlling large-scale systems has evolved in recent years toward more collaborative schemes. When human intervention is necessary, decision support systems (DSS) can represent a solution. A DSS is an adaptive and evolving information system meant to implement several of the functions of a human support team that would otherwise be needed to help the decision-maker to overcome his/her limits and constraints he/she may face when approaching decision problems that count in the organization. This paper aims at reviewing several aspects concerning the utilization and technology of DSS in the context of LSS control. Particular emphasis is put on real-time DSS and multi-participant (group) DSS which support collaborative work. Several advanced solutions such as mixed knowledge systems, that combine numerical methods with AI-based tools, and the prospects of using Ambient intelligence (AmI) concepts in DSS construction are described.     

Decision support for marketing research and corporate planning

Marketing research and corporate planning are enhanced by an effective decision support system. A system developed and implemented in an insurance company is used to illustrate how computer cartography and statistical procedures can be combined as powerful analytical tools. It also demonstrates how a nonprocedural language (SAS with SASGRAPH) can be used to create modules of systems that are efficiently implemented and easily maintained by analysts with limited programming capabilities.     

A framework for systems analysis for decision support systems

Comprehensive and elaborate systems analysis techniques have been developed in the past of routine and operational information systems. Developing support systems for organizational decision-making requires new tools and methodologies. We present a new framework for data collection and decision analysis which is useful for developing decision support systems. This task analysis methodology encompasses (1) event analysis, (2) participant analysis, and (3) decision content analysis. With a proper coding manual, it provides a framework for collecting relevant and detailed information required for decision support design and implementation. Further research is suggested for application and evaluation of the methodology in real-life DSS environments.