Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Decision Support Systems Failure

  • Chapter
Handbook on Decision Support Systems 1

Part of the book series: International Handbooks Information System ((INFOSYS))

Abstract

The development of any decision support system (DSS) is a risky affair. The volatile task environment and dynamic nature of managerial work means that DSS projects are prone to failure. This chapter explores a number of aspects of DSS failure, first by considering the definition of success and failure and then by developing a set of critical success factors (CSFs) for DSS. This CSF set is used to understand two DSS project failures: one a small scale personal DSS, and the other a large enterprise-scale data warehouse with business intelligence applications. In addition to understanding DSS failure ex post, the CSF set could be used during a project to provide early warning of potentially fatal problems.

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

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 299.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 379.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 379.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Arnott, D., “Data Warehouse and Business Intelligence Governance: An Empirical Study”, in Adam, F., Brezillon, P., Carlsson, S. and Humphreys, P. (eds.), Creativity and Innovation in Decision Making and Decision Support. London: Ludic Publishing, 2006, pp. 711-730.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arnott, D. and G. Pervan, “A Critical Analysis of Decision Support Systems Research,” J Inform Tech, 20(2), 2005, 67-87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bailey, J.E. and S.W. Pearson, “Development of a tool for measuring and analyzing computer user satisfaction,” Manage Sci, 29(5), 1983, 530-545.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bajwa, D., A. Rai and I. Brennan, “Key antecedents of executive information systems success: A path analytic approach,” Decis Support Syst, 22, 1998, 31-43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baskerville, R.L. and F. Land, “Socially self-destructing systems,” in Avgerou, C., Ciborra, C. and Land, F. (eds.), The Social Study of Information and Communication Technology: Innovation, Actors, Contexts. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2004, pp. 263-285.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergeron, F. and L. Raymond, “Evaluation of EIS from a managerial perspective,” J Inform Syst, 2, 1992, 45-60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bird, J., Executive information systems handbook. NCC Blackwell, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  • Briggs, D. and D. Arnott, “Decision Support Systems Failure: An Evolutionary Perspective,” J Decis Syst, 13(1), 2004, 91-111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bussen, W. and M.D. Myers, “Executive information system failure: A New Zealand case study,” J Inform Tech, 12, 1997, 145-153.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cottrell, N. and K. Rapley, “Factors critical to the success of executive information systems in British Airways,” Eur J Inform Syst, 1(1), 1991, 65-71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Curley, K.F. and L.L. Gremillion, “The role of the champion in DSS implementation,” Inform Manage, 6, 1983, 203-209.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeLone, W.H. and E.R. McLean, “Information systems success: The quest for the dependent variable,” Inform Syst Res, 3(1), 1992, 60-95.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeSanctis, G., “An examination of an expectancy theory model of decision support system use,” in Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Information Systems, 1982, pp. 121-135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Drummond, H., “What we never have, we never miss? Decision error and the risks of premature termination,” J Inform Tech, 20, 2005, 170-176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elam, J.J. and D.G. Leidner, “EIS adoption, use, and impact: The executive perspective,” Decis Support Syst, 14, 1995, 89-103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finlay, P.N. and M. Forghani, “A classification of success factors for decision support systems,” J Strat Inform Syst, 7, 1998, 53-70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fitzgerald, G. and N.L. Russo, “The turnaround of the London Ambulance Service Computer-Aided Despatch system (LASCAD),” Eur J Inform Syst, 14, 2005, 244-257.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garrity, J.T., “Top management and computer profits,” Harvard Business Review, 41, 1963, 172-174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graham, C., “Business Intelligence Software Market Grows by 12%,” Gartner Research Report ID. G00130216, Stamford, CT: Gartner Inc, 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  • Green, G.I. and C.T. Hughes, “Effects of decision support training and cognitive style on decision process attributes,” J Manage Inform Syst, 3(2), 1986, 81-93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guiden, G.K. and D.E. Ewers, “Is your ESS meeting the need?,” Computerworld, 10, 1989, 85-91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hsieh, C-C., M-T. Lu and C-C. Pan, “Current status of DSS use in Taiwan,” Inform Manage, 22, 1992, 196-206.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hurst, E. G., Jr., D.N. Ness, T.J. Gambino and T.H. Johnson, “Growing DSS: A flexible evolutionary approach,” in Bennett, J.L. (ed.), Building Decision Support Systems. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1983, pp. 111-132.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hwang, H-G., C-Y. Ku, D.C. Yen and C-C. Cheng, “Critical factors influencing the adoption of data warehouse technology: a study of the banking industry in Taiwan,” Decis Support Syst, 37, 2004, 1-21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keen, P.G.W., “Adaptive Design for Decision Support Systems,” Data Base, 12(l-2), 1980, 15-25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keen, P.G.W., “Value analysis: Justifying decision support systems,” MIS Quart, 5(1), 1981, 1-16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keil, M., P.E. Cule, K. Lyytinen and R.C. Schmidt, “A framework for identifying software project risks,” Commun ACM, 41(11), 1998, 76-83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leidner, D.E. and J.J. Elam, “Executive information systems: Their impact on executive decision making,” J Manage Inform Syst, 10(3), 1993-94, 139-155.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindsay, K. and M.N. Frolick, “Critical factors for data warehouse failure,” J Data Ware, 8(1), 2003, 48-54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lucas Jr, H.C., M.J. Ginzberg and R.L. Schultz, Information system implementation: Testing a structural mode. Norwood, NJ: Ablex, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • March, S.T. and A.R. Hevner, “Integrated decision support systems: A data warehousing perspective,” Decis Support Syst, 43(3), 2007, 1031-1043.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Markus, M.L. and M. Keil, “If we build it, they will come: Designing information systems that people want to use,” Sloan Manage Rev, 35(4), 1994, 11-25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Markus, M.L. and J-Y. Mao, “Participating in development and implementation – Updating an old, tired concept for today’s IS context,” J Assoc Inform Syst, 5(11-12), 2004, 514-544.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, R.O., “Measuring information output: A communication systems approach,” Inform Manage, 1(5), 1978, 219-234.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maynard, S., D. Arnott and F. Burstein, “DSS evaluation criteria: A multiple constituency approach,” Working Paper 20/95, Department of Information Systems, Monash University, Australia, 191-202, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  • McBride, N., “The rise and fall of an executive information system: a case study,” Inform Syst J, 7, 1997, 277-287.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nandhakumar, J., “Design for success? Critical success factors in executive information systems development,” Eur J Inform Syst, 5, 1996, 62-72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nunamaker, J., D. Vogel, A. Heminger, B. Martz, R. Grohowski and C. McCoff, “Experiences at IBM with group support systems: a field study,” Decis Support Syst, 5, 1989, 183-196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paller, A., and R. Laska, The EIS Book. Homewood, IL: Dow Jones-Irwin, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poon, P. and C. Wagner, “Critical success factors revisited: success and failure cases of information system for senior executives,” Decis Support Syst, 30, 2001, 393-418.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poulymenakou, A. and A. Holmes, “A contingency framework for the investigation of information systems failure,” European J Inform Syst, 5, 1996, 34-46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rainer, R.K., Jr. and H.J. Watson, “What does it take for successful executive information systems?,” Decis Support Syst, 14, 1995, 147-156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rockart, J.F., and D.W. DeLong, Executive Support Systems: The Emergence of Top Management Computer Use. Homewood, Illinois: Dow-Jones-Irwin, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salmeron, J.L. and I. Herrero, “An AHP-based methodology to rank critical success factors of executive information systems,” Comp Stand Inter, 28, 2005, 1-12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sammon, D. and P. Finnegan, “The ten commandments of data warehousing,” Data Adv Inform Syst, 31(4), 2000, 82-91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sauer, C., Why information systems fail: A case study approach. Oxfordshire, UK: Alfred Waller, Henley-On-Thames, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shannon, C.E. and W. Weaver, The Mathematical Theory of Communication. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press, 1949.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, S.K., H.J. Watson and R.T. Watson, “EIS support for the strategic management process,” Decis Support Syst, 33, 2002, 71-85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sipior, J.C., “Expert system stalemate: A case of project champion departure,” Inform Res Manage J, 13(4), 2000, 16-24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srinivasan, A., “Alternative measures of system effectiveness: Associations and implications,” MIS Quart, 9(3), 1985, 243-253.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swanson, E.B., “Management information systems: appreciation and involvement,” Manage Sci, 21(2), 1974, 178-188.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsaih, R., Y. Hsu and C-C. Lai, “Forecasting S&P 500 stock index features with a hybrid AI system,” Decis Support Syst, 23, 1998, 161-174.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Venkatraman, N. and V. Ramanujam, “Planning system success: a conceptualisation and an operational model,” Manage Sci, 33(6), 1987, 687-705.

    Google Scholar 

  • Volonino, L. and H.J. Watson, “The strategic business objectives method for guiding executive information systems development,” J Manage Inform Syst, 7(3), 1990-91, 27-39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walstrom, K.A. and R.L. Wilson, “An examination of executive information systems (EIS) users,” Inform Manage, 32, 1997, 75-83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watson, H.J., C. Fuller and T. Ariyachandra, “Data warehouse governance: Best practices at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina,” Decis Support Syst, 38, 2004, 435-450.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watson, H.J., R.K. Rainer, Jr. and C.E. Koh, “Executive information systems: A framework for development and a survey of current practices,” MIS Quart, March, 1991, 13-30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weill, P. and M.H. Olson, “An assessment of the contingency theory of management information systems,” J MIS, 6(1), 1989, 59-85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wixom, B.H. and H.J. Watson, “An empirical investigation of the factors affecting data warehousing success,” MIS Quart, 25, 2001, 17-41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yin R.K., Case Study Research: Design and Methods, 2nd edn. Newbury Park, CA: Sage, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Decision Support and Enterprise Systems Research, Monash University, Clayton, Australia

    David Arnott & Gemma Dodson

Authors
  1. David Arnott
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gemma Dodson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Arnott, D., Dodson, G. (2008). Decision Support Systems Failure. In: Handbook on Decision Support Systems 1. International Handbooks Information System. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-48713-5_34

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-48713-5_34

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-48712-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-48713-5

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation