The Changing Role of Multiple Criteria in Decision Support Systems

Abstract

This research aims at answering an important question, raised earlier by Zeleny, as to whether MCDM is rarely part of ‘mainstream’ OR/MS/DSS modeling. In doing so, this study first identified intellectual structure of decision support systems (DSS), using factor analysis of author cocitation frequency. Six subsets of DSS research are identified; they are foundations, group DSS, MCDM/MCDSS, routing DSS, data base management systems, and management science/operations research. Earlier studies by Eom reported that integration of MCDM models into decision support systems have made significant progress and that the MCDM model-embedded DSS has become an effective decision tool, as Zeleny predicted. Based on the factor analysis of the author cocitation frequency, further convincing evidence is presented to support Zeleny's earlier predictions. We have reached the compelling conclusion that MCDM/MCDSS have positioned themselves at the core of decision support systems.