THE INTELLECTUAL STRUCTURE OF DECISION-SUPPORT SYSTEMS (1971-1989)

This study aims at identifying the intellectual structure of decision support systems (DSS), using factor analysis and multidimensional scaling of author cocitation frequency. Eight subsets of DSS research are identified; they are foundations, group DSS, Touting DSS, data base management systems, multiple criteria DSS, marketing DSS, multiple criteria decision making, and management science. Earlier studies by Culnan reported that management information systems (MIS) have made significant progress toward a cumulative research tradition. This study extends the study of Culnan and examines a subspecialty of eight areas of MIS research identified by prior research. Contrary to the prior research, this research supports the theory of continuing fragmentation of DSS research and finds very little cumulative research tradition. Further, this study suggests that DSS research should be directed toward the improvement of organizational decision making.