Support for cognition in decision support systems: an exploratory historical review

Abstract

Decision support systems (DSS) have been traditionally developed to assist with unstructured and semi-structured problems. Early DSS researchers explored a broad range of techniques for supporting human cognition as part of decision making. Cognition during decision making was viewed in terms of two competing, and sometimes cooperating, systems: one that was automatic and fast, and one that was deliberative and slow. The aim of this research is to trace historical studies on cognitive aspects of decision support and determine the theoretical underpinnings of DSS support for cognition. We analysed articles drawing on the seminal literature to derive the relevant dimensions, including the classical Gorry & Scott Morton (1989) framework. This analysis identified opportunities for future research relevant to providing better support for cognition by highlighting some design parameters for information systems.