Skip to main content
Log in

Decision settings analysis – a tool for analysis and design of human activity systems

  • Published:
Theory and Decision Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The paper describes a methodology to be used for analysis and design of human activity systems. The methodology is based on an analysis of the decision settings whereas most other decision analysis methodologies are analysing the process. The decision concept is analysed and discussed. A distinction between programmed and programmable as well as non-programmed and non-programmable decisions is proposed. A classification of different information types for decision making is presented. A methodology based on a systemic and systematic analysis of the information requirements of an organization is proposed. This methodology also indicates organizational discrepancies and information imbalances. The methodology focuses the settings of the decisions on all levels of organizations. The methodology can be regarded as a dynamic, learning system. The author proposes further research on the individuals decision making abilities.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Ackoff, R.L. (1967), Management Misinformation Systems, Management Science 14(4): 147–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ackoff, R.L. and Emery, F.E. (1972), On Purposeful Systems, Aldine. Atherton, Chicago

    Google Scholar 

  • Avison, D.E. (1992), Information Systems Development – A Database Approach, Blackwell, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Avison, D.E. and Wood-Harper, A. (1990), Multiview-An Exploration in Information Systems Development, Alfred Waller, Henley-on-Thames.

  • Banathy, B.H. (1996), Designing Social Systems in a Changing World, Plenum Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Bento, A.M. (1994), Systems Analysis: A Decision Approach, Information & Management 27: 185–194.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berthoz, A. (1997), Neural Basis of Decision in Perception and in Control of Movement, in A.R. Damasio, H. Damasio and Y. Christen (eds.), Neurobiology of Decision-Making, Berlin: Springer-Verlag (pp. 83–100).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bras, B.A. and Mistree, F. (1991), Designing Design Processes in Decision-Based Concurrent Engineering, SAE Transactions, Journal of Materials & Manufacturing 100: 451–458.

    Google Scholar 

  • Churchman, C.W. (1979). The Systems Approach and Its Enemies, Basic Books, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Damasio, A.R. (1994), Decartes' Error, Emotion, Reason and the Human Brain, Putnam, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, G.B. (1982), Strategies for Information Requiremensts Determination, IBM Systems Journal 21(1): 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flood, R. and Carson, E. (1993). Dealing with Complexity, 2nd edn., Plenum Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forsman, A. (1997), Personal information, Göteborg.

  • van Gigch, J.P. (1991), System Design Modeling and Metamodeling, Plenum Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gorry, G.A. and Scott Morton, M.S. (1971, 1989). A Framework for Management Information Systems. Sloan Management Review. Summer 1971 and reprinted with a retrospective commentary Spring 1989.

  • Harrington, J. (1991), Organizational Structure And Information Technology, Prentice Hall, Hemel Hempstead.

  • Hugosson, M.-Å, Hesselman, O. and Grubbström, A. (1983), MBI-metoden. En metod för verksamhetsanalys, Studentlitteratur, Lund (in Swedish).

  • Langefors, B. (1993), Essays on Infology, University of Göteborg.

  • Larsson, N.O. (1996), Focusing on Decisions in the Information Systems Development Process's, paper presented at the UK Academy for Information Systems' First Conference, April 1996.

  • Larsson, N.O. (1999a), A Metamodel for Designing Human Activity Systems – An Analysis of Psychiatric Care in Sweden, Proceedings of the ISSS's 1999 Conference at Asilomar.

  • Larsson, N.O. (1999b), The Vital Balance, Proceedings of the ISSS's 1999 Conference at Asilomar.

  • Larsson, N.O. and Malmsjö, A. (1997), A Model for Design of Human Activity Systems, Systemic Practice and Action Research 11(4): 455–479.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, P.J. (1994), Information-Systems Development, Pitman, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • March, J.G. (1988), Bounded Rationality, Ambiguity, and the Engineering of Choice, in D.E. Bell, H. Raiffa and A. Tversky (eds.), Decision Making – Descriptive, normative, and prescriptive interactions, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, R.O., Jr. (1975), Basic Concepts for Designing Management Systems, Prentice Hall, New York. (Earlier presented in AIS Research paper nr 8 in 1969.)

    Google Scholar 

  • McCoch, A.M., Rahman M. and Earl, M.J. (1981), Developing Managerial Information Systems, McMillan Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, J.G. (1978), Living Systems, McGraw-Hill, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mistree, F. and Marston, M. (1997), A Decision Based Foundation for Systems Design: A Conceptual Exposition, Paper presented at DBD Workshop, Orlando, FL, April 1997.

  • Munro, M.C. and Davis, G.B. (1977), Determining management information needs: a comparison of methods, MIS Quarterly, 1: 55–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simon, H.A. (1955), A behavioral model of rational choice, Quarterly Journal of Economics 69: 99–118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simon, H.A. (1956), Rational choice and the structure of the environment, Psychological Review 64: 129–138.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simon, H. (1981), The Science of Design, 2nd edn., MIT Press, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Simon, H. (1988), Rationality as a process and as product of thought, in D. Bell, H. Raiffa and A. Tversky (eds.), Decision Making, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Larsson, N.O. Decision settings analysis – a tool for analysis and design of human activity systems. Theory and Decision 49, 339–360 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005228530526

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005228530526

Navigation