Knowledge-Based Decision Support Systems

Abstract

In the international literature, over the last decade, several studies have been conducted trying to investigate possible connections and relationships among the DSSs and ESs frameworks. Turban and Watkins (1986) identified the differences among the two approaches on four aspects:

• 1. As far as the goals of DSSs and Ess are concerned, the former focus on providing support to decision makers, while the later focus on providing specific conclusions.

• 2. As far as the problem domain is concerned, DSSs have a broad applicability to several fields involving complex decision situations, while ESs are restricted on more specific and well-defined problems (closed-world assumption; cf. Turban and Watkins, 1986; Edwards, 1992).

• 3. Although the database, a key component of the DSSs framework, includes data and facts, the knowledge base of an ES includes both the facts and the procedures used to address a specific decision problem.

• 4. Finally with regard to the flexibility, DSSs are more flexible with respect to changes in the decision environment and the judgement of the decision maker, while ESs’ closed-world assumption makes them less flexible.