This core textbook contains a focused approach to understanding and building decision support systems.

Decision support systems; management support systems: an overview; decision making, systems, modeling, and support; data management; modeling and model management; user interface; constructing a decision support system; organizational DSS and advanced topics; enterprise support systems; Group decision support systems; executive information and support systems; fundamentals of artificial intelligence and expert systems; applied artificial intelligence: an overview; fundamentals of expert systems; knowledge acquisition and validation; knowledge representation; inferences, explanations, and uncertainty; building expert systems: process and tools; cutting edge decision support technologies; neural computing: the basics; neural computing applications, genetic algorithms, and fuzzy logic; integrating and implementation; integrating decision support technologies; Implementing management support systems; organizational and societal impacts of management support systems; appendix and student project.

In 1985 it was 20 years since Nobel Laureate Herbert A. Simon published: 'THE SHAPE OF AUTOMATION: For Men and Management'. This short but important and still topical book dwells on three subjects: - The Long-Range Economic Effects of Automation; - Will the Corporation be Managed by Machines? - The New Science of Management Decision. In contrast with George Orwell, who was a critic of contemporary political systems rather than a prophet, Simon portrays a far more rosy picture of our 'brave new world'. Simon's work breathes optimism. First, computer technology; looking back it is aoubtful whether even the professor expected the hardware development ~e have wittnessed. Secondly, our ability to 'tame the beast'; there is now not much reason for complacency and satisfaction. Offices and factories can by no means be called automated, at most semi-automated. Thirdly the organizational and social implications of these rapid technological developments; referring to what he then called: 'The Computer and the new decision making techniques ..• ' Concerning this last point, there is little need to emphasize that had been less practical application in organizations than the often impressive theoretical developments would lead one to believe. In Europe this situation is even more accute than in the USA and Japan. The ESPRIT programme of the ECC and many similar national programs intend to bridge the gap.

Decision support systems have experienced a marked increase in attention and importance over the past 25 years. The aim of this book is to survey the decision support system (DSS) field – covering both developed territory and emergent frontiers. It will give the reader a clear understanding of fundamental DSS concepts, methods, technologies, trends, and issues. It will serve as a basic reference work for DSS research, practice, and instruction. To achieve these goals, the book has been designed according to a ten-part structure, divided in two volumes with chapters authored by well-known, well-versed scholars and practitioners from the DSS community.