Improving facility planning with decision technology systems

Facility planning is a complex process that requires art, science, and technology. Several methodologies 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 facility planning. 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 decision making phases in facility planning.This paper examines the facility planning process. 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.     

A framework for applying ethics-by-design to decision support systems for emergency management

The development and utilisation of new information and communication technologies presents opportunities and risks, which bring ethical issues to the forefront. Any attempt to minimise the potential negative consequences to individuals, organisations and society resulting from the use of these technologies is challenging. In order to address these challenges, this paper presents an ethics-by-design approach that has been developed and implemented in the context of Decision Supports Systems for Emergency Management. Such systems help manage large and cross-border disasters by supporting decision makers to respond on emergencies in a reasonable way by taking follow-up actions into account. The approach taken in this paper specifically provides means to support the ethical dimensions of these decisions. Actions taken during disasters can have ramifications that persist long after a disaster has passed. The ethics-by-design approach presented here not only informs the design of systems, but also considers the role and training of the decision makers in the design process. The paper builds on the literature on ethics in information systems and makes a contribution to theory by providing a framework to ensure ethical considerations are embedded into the design of systems.     

Measures of success for lone-user management support systems

Abstract. Management support sytems (MSS) are systems that involve the use of information technologies to support management lone-user MSS are such systems used by managers acting alone, whether the systems have been developed for an individual's exclusive use or for more than one user. Information systems research has been hampered by the lack of widely agreed measures of success. There are two main reasons for this. First, there has been a lack of rigour in the presentation of research findings, particularly in the definition of the types of system that have been investigated. This is particularly the case with MSS. Second, there is often no direct way of determining the effect of an MSS on the goals of an organization in the midst of many other concurrent factors. A classification of lone-user MSS is first given. The many, often indirect, measures of success that have been suggested are then charted. These are then incorporated into a hierarchical framework of organizational goals and intra-MSS measures. Finally, appropriate measures of success to use with the two major classes of MSS are suggested.     

Information flows amongst executives: their implications for systems development

Senior managers have tended to resist the incursion into their personal domain of computer systems meant for their use. Their main criticism is that technical solutions are being imposed on them without an adequate analysis of the problems at hand. This suggests that the way in which executives obtain and exchange information may not be adequately understood. With the help of a framework designed to identify top executives' networks of information flows, the study reported in this paper analysed the information practices of 16 executives from four organizations. The findings of the research indicated that executives use a combination of communication flows and information flows in a proportion which varies depending upon the context of their different activities. It also revealed that executives initiated information and communication flows of a different nature depending upon the role they play and the level of those with whom they deal within the organization. The results of the study suggest that very specific approaches are needed when identifying executives' needs in terms of developing systems aimed at supporting top managers' strategic activities.     

Web-based decision support for regional vegetation management

Native vegetation cover plays a crucial role in conserving biodiversity, sustaining ecosystem functions and processes, and maintaining the productive capacity of land. Sustainable native vegetation management requires awareness among land managers and the wider community of the value and role of remnants of native vegetation, the major issues in their management and best-practice management arrangements. The emergence and widespread use of the World Wide Web presents an opportunity to raise awareness, improve information access, enhance detailed knowledge and build the commitment of land managers and the wider community for sustainable native vegetation management. This paper presents a prototype Web-based information system, VegMan, for regional vegetation management in the Central Highlands region of Queensland, Australia. The system provides access to facts, policies, strategies and decision support tools relevant to vegetation management in the region. The resources and services provided by VegMan and the techniques used for its implementation are described. The potential of a Web-based information system for regional vegetation management and challenges for its development are discussed.     

数据挖掘技术在高校管理决策中的应用

针对高校教育方式的灵活多样化和学生人数急剧增加与教学资源日渐紧张的矛盾,通过对数据仓库、数据挖掘技术和决策支持系统的研究,提出了基于数据挖掘技术的高校管理决策支持系统的设计方案,为高校决策提供科学的依据。该方案对建设科学合理的高校数据仓库,有效提高高校信息管理和数据利用的能力,加强高校管理决策的合理性和科学性,具有现实意义。     

An expert decision support system for network routing: a case study

The paper presents a case study of the development of an expert decision support system which uses simple heuristic methods for fast determination of routes for simultaneous signals in a transmission network of limited capacity. It illustrates how heuristic solutions can be embodied in a model-based DSS and how the standard decision support literature, although intuitively appealing, provides little practical assistance in system construction or classification     

生物质能综合利用两层通用决策支持系统的研究

在制定生物质能生产计划时,影响决策者的因素不仅包括生物质供应链本身的不同环节,而且包括生物质系统对于社会、环境和经济的影响及其在某个特定的国家内开发的困难程度。为了综合考虑上述因素,本文提出生物质能两层通用决策系统(gBEDS),其核心是数据库,包括基本的生物质信息和详细的决策信息,此外,还包括方案数据库和为新用户提供示范的案例库。在数据库的基础上,决策系统包括单元过程(UP)的模拟模块和用于优化决策的遗传算法。在图形界面的帮助下,用户可以自行定义生物质供应链,并进行环境、经济、社会或其他方面的评价;在生物质能生产全生命周期的模拟和优化模型的基础上,系统采用数据挖掘方法(模糊c均值聚类和决策树)确定最优的生物质原材料收集存储和转化工厂的地理位置。使用Matlab开发生物质供应链的生物质计划参数(例如费用和CO_2排放)的计算模型。同时,用地理信息系统(GIS)对生物能转化工厂和存储数据作可视化表达,以支持用户在智能输出的基础上做出决策。因此,gBEDS支持生物质能国家计划者,制定一种有效的生物质能生产计划并作出综合评价,地方的设计和实施者确定优化、详细的单元过程实施上述计划。日本森林废物发电的实例研究表明了上述方法的有效性和可行性。     

A decision support system for personnel scheduling in a manufacturing environment

A Decision Support System (DSS) is developed to support managers in the task of scheduling labor in the area of manufacturing. The DSS is designed to generate labor requirements by worker category and work center based on master production schedules. It is a PC-based, menu-driven program that generates a capacity plan based on data supplied by the user of the system.     

Assessing roles of people,technology and structure in emergency management systems: a public sector perspective

Emergency management systems are a critical factor in successful mitigation of natural and man-made disasters, facilitating responder decision making in complex situations. Based on socio-technical systems, have which four components (people, technology, structure and task), this study develops a research framework of factors affecting effective emergency management. People factors include psychological factors such as responders' self-efficacy, support from family, peers and community, and training. Technology factors are task technology and information sharing. The structure factors are leadership, labour and logistics. Finally, the task factor refers to effective emergency management. This study empirically tests this framework by collecting surveys from emergency responders who participated in the 2006 Buffalo October Storm. The research results demonstrate that training and support positively affect emergency management self-efficacy which, in turn, has a positive significant relationship with effective emergency management. Task technology and information sharing also have a positive impact on effective emergency management. However, findings suggest that the structure factors do not show a significant relationship with effective emergency management. This research presents that human factors in emergency management are essential to conduct effective operations. More importantly, investing in technology to assist responders in performing their jobs during the emergency is crucial during the emergency operations.     

Interactive computer support in decision conferencing: Two cases on off-site nuclear emergency management

In this paper, we study the new opportunities offered by the interactive use of advanced multicriteria software in decision conferencing. We analyze and make observations on this approach in two one-day decision conferences on the planning of later phase countermeasures in off-site nuclear emergency management. The participants' individual use of the software in the preference elicitation phase was an essential new characteristic of these conferences. It turned out to be a feasible and well accepted process. We shall discuss the requirements for the facilitation and computer support in this kind of an approach.     

Expert systems in manufacturing. Part 2: A management framework for expert-systems innovation and technology transfer

Current approaches to expert systems technology transfer have tended to focus upon the marketing and servicing of technology capabilities and potential whilst remaining uncertain about the process factors which determine how this technology may be applied and adopted effectively. Furthermore, much of current expert systems research work and literature addresses these issues from the viewpoint of the supplier or donor whilst overlooking the importance of human and organisational perspectives which shed light on the means of delivery and take-up within the recipient organisation. The paper, the second of two that look at expert systems innovation in manufacturing, argues for greater consideration of the characteristics, processes and mechanisms of technology transfer. It defines a new conceptual basis for technology transfer which stresses a ‘needs-driven’ process of change; this highlights the importance of context as well as content in expert systems transfer and implementation. From this, a management framework is outlined and is used to rationalise the transfer problems and needs described in the first paper following a survey of 145 manufacturing users. It is also shown how this framework may be used to understand more about the multi-level and multi-dimensional needs and effects of technology induced change and therefore how it may be used to help senior management strategically plan and co-ordinate expert systems programmes in their organisations.     

Unified methodology of neural analysis in decision support systems built for pharmaceutical technology

The objective of this study was to create universal methodology of artificial neural networks (ANNs) application in construction of decision support systems designed for various dosage forms. Two different dosage forms (solid dispersions and microemulsions) were modeled with use of the same methodology, software and hardware environments. Completely different models prepared confirmed their generalization ability both for solid dosage forms (solid dispersions) and liquid dosage forms (microemulsions). ME_expert and SD_expert systems basing on the neural expert committees were created. In the pilot study their application allowed for appropriate choice of qualitative and quantitative composition of particular pharmaceutical formulation. It was also proposed that ME_expert and SD_expert might provide in silico formulation procedures. Unified methodology of neural modeling in pharmaceutical technology was confirmed to be effective in providing valuable tools for pharmaceutical product development.     

Information systems: necessity or luxury in changing economies?

Abstract. This paper explores the role of information technology and systems in countries that are undergoing rapid social and economic change. The countries of East and Central Europe and the former Soviet Union are good examples. We focus on the most important needs for management information in such countries, which are often quite different from those in Western countries, and on the difficulties of implementing information technology. We suggest that improved information systems will be critical for future success in changing economies and that the processes for developing systems and applying information technology should follow quite different paths from those followed in the US and Western Europe. We also present several examples of problems and possible solutions.     

Strategies for designing distributed systems: case studies in the design of an air traffic management system

The air traffic management system in the USA is an example of a distributed problem-solving system. It has elements of both cooperative and competitive problem-solving. It includes complex organizations such as Flight Operations Centers, the FAA Air Traffic Control Systems Command Center (ATCSCC), and traffic management units at en route centers that focus on daily strategic planning, as well as individuals concerned more with immediate tactical decisions (such as air traffic controllers and pilots). The design of this system has evolved over time to rely heavily on the distribution of tasks and control authority in order to keep cognitive complexity manageable for any one individual operator, and to provide redundancy (both human and technological) to serve as a safety net to catch the slips or mistakes that any one person or entity might make. Within this distributed architecture, a number of different conceptual approaches have been applied to deal with cognitive complexity and to provide redundancy. These approaches can be characterized in terms of the strategy for distributing: (1) control or responsibility, (2) knowledge or expertise, (3) access to data, (4) processing capacity, and (5) goals and priorities. This paper will provide an abstract characterization of these alternative strategies for distributing work in terms of these 5 dimensions, and will illustrate and evaluate their effectiveness in terms of concrete realizations found within the National Airspace System.     

船岸集成信息系统方案设计

根据当前集装箱船队的运营管理特点和需要，全面分析船队管理中存在的问题，以提高管理效率、增强安全控制力度、降低成本为目的，以“运营管理和控制一体化”为主要思路，结合先进的数据采集方法，充分发挥管理信息系统与地理信息系统整合的优点，配以决策支持系统，提出了建立船岸集成信息系统的方案设计．     

Rapid adoption of information systems in an organization with poor management: the case of fund-holding in UK primary health care

Abstract. Reorganization of the UK primary health care system to create an internal market for health services depends upon local family doctors (general practitioners) taking on budgetary responsibilities and purchasing services from hospitals. These budgets will be monitored by local committees. The success of the internal market is heavily dependent upon computerized management information systems. This paper investigates the introduction of information systems into an organization that is ill prepared for change.     

Data mining for providing a personalized learning path in creativity: An application of decision trees

Customizing a learning environment to optimize personal learning has recently become a popular trend in e-learning. Because creativity has become an essential skill in the current e-learning epoch, this study aims to develop a personalized creativity learning system (PCLS) that is based on the data mining technique of decision trees to provide personalized learning paths for optimizing the performance of creativity. The PCLS includes a series of creativity tasks as well as a questionnaire regarding several key variables. Ninety-two college students were included in this study to examine the effectiveness of the PCLS. The experimental results show that, when the learning path suggested by a hybrid decision tree is employed, the learners have a 90% probability of obtaining an above-average creativity score, which suggests that the employed data mining technique can be a good vehicle for providing adaptive learning that is related to creativity. Moreover, the findings in this study shed light on what components should be accounted for when designing a personalized creativity learning system as well as how to integrate personalized learning and game-based learning into a creative learning program to maximize learner motivation and learning effects.     

Information management in process-based organizations: a case study at Xerox Ltd

Abstract. The process-oriented holistic enterprise is a new organizational form in which the business process may be perceived as the basic organizational construct. Process management on an enterprise-wide scale implies a complex integration of business processes. The increased organizational complexity places heavy demands on a firm's information management capability, and this needs to be managed in a way that best supports the process model. This research has found that in the case of Xerox Ltd, a company that has adopted a holistic approach to process management, the information management process is key to supporting this method of organizing. The main finding is that, in order to support process management, a particular type of information management is required. This includes a need for enterprise-wide information systems and the centralization of systems development and maintenance. However, the process management is made possible by this type of information management. This may be referred to as the duality concept of information and process management. The research presents findings from an in-depth participant observation study conducted at the Xerox Ltd headquarters in the UK, and also includes data collected from Xerox France and Xerox UK.