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Geographically-referenced information for decision support (GRIDS): A study of spatial decision environments
Abstract
Every decision is performed in a unique decision environment comprised of objective and perceived dimensions. Objective dimensions can be metrically defined. The perceived dimensions of decision environments, including spatiality, are usually poorly-defined and ill-structured. This exploratory study investigates the spatial decision environment through the design and implementation of two geographically-referenced decision support systems (DSS), which provide geographically-referenced information for decision support (GRIDS) to their users. The spatial decisions and spatial characteristics are fully analyzed. Decision-maker perceptions of the spatial decision environment are emphasized as critical elements of effective system design and implementation strategies. Four spatial decisions in two organizations are explored in this study. One organization, the Nebraska State Patrol, is a public service agency which must deploy its limited manpower to locations throughout the state to satisfy the goal of effective statewide traffic law enforcement. Additionaly, the Troopers who actively patrol the state's highways must continually decide where to position themselves in order to quickly respond to service calls and to effectively deter traffic law violations through visible patrol activities. A georeferenced DSS is developed for macrogeographic allocation, and information requirements analysis is performed for the other decisions. The administrators of the other organization, a financial institution, wish to respond to the newly deregulated banking environment by opening a new branch bank facility this year. A geobased DSS is developed for this branch bank location decision. The findings show that for decisions perceived to exhibit significant spatiality, unique systems analysis and design approaches are required. Spatial perception analysis is a necessary element of successful decision support system projects. Several decision contingencies exist for which appropriate system design and implementation steps can be defined. These spatial decisions characteristics are presented in a contingency model to be used as a framework of analysis for spatial decision support.
Subject Area
Management
Recommended Citation
Warkentin, Merrill Eugene, "Geographically-referenced information for decision support (GRIDS): A study of spatial decision environments" (1987). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8806157.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8806157