Decision support: a matter of information supply and demand

Abstract

Abstract: The organisational decision making environment is complex and decision makers must deal with uncertainty and ambiguity on a continuous basis. Managing and handling decision problems and implementing a solution requires an understanding of the complexity of the decision domain to the point where the problem and its complexity as well as the requirement for supporting decision makers, can be described. This papers presents a synthesis of the ideal of what information supply should be and the information demand that decision makers require. A model is presented which links management decision making information demand and information supply. The model facilitates a more refined perception of the decision making landscape of an organisation, and a corresponding definitive avenue for the development of decision support dedicated to the different levels that have been revealed by the application of a cognitive representation model.