Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / This thesis explores the Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) needs for a decision support system in the area of analyzing, establishing and maintaining the organizational structures of BDF units. It also identifies the BDF measures that must be taken to qualify a certain unit structure. Subsequently, the thesis designs and develops a specific DSS prototype that can aid BDF decision makers and planners perspectives in this area. Creating this prototype has involved three different layers to be investigated: the data, the models and the user interfaces. The data layer consists of a Microsoft Access database application that houses BDF Units, Manpower, Vehicles, Weapons, Salaries, and Jobs information. The model layer consists of two Microsoft Excel spreadsheets that contain Infantry Battalion and enhanced Armor Battalion HR optimization models. The UI layer consists of user controls, input/output forms, queries, reports, and visualization aids (i.e. charts and pivot tables). These interfaces were developed using MS Access capabilities. Consequently, the BDF-DSS is an integration of database and optimization technology using widely available desktop tools. The general benefits of this DSS are reduced costs for data gathering, computation, and data presentation, and added value resulting from investigating more alternatives, doing more sophisticated analyses of alternatives, using better methods of comparing alternatives, and making quicker and better decisions. / Bahrain Defense Force author. / Major, Bahrain Defense Force

by Tso Tze Kwong. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1990. / Bibliography: leaves [121]-[123]. / Acknowledgments / Abstract --- p.A-1 / Table of Figures --- p.F-1 / Chapter Chapter 1. --- Group Factors and Their Impacts / Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction --- p.1-1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Why Group --- p.1-3 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Effectiveness --- p.1-3 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Efficiency --- p.1-4 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Knowledge --- p.1-4 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Social Bias Reduction --- p.1-5 / Chapter 1.2.5 --- Commitment --- p.1-5 / Chapter 1.2.6 --- Communications --- p.1-5 / Chapter 1.3 --- Quality of Decision --- p.1-6 / Chapter 1.4 --- Risk Taking --- p.1-8 / Chapter 1.5 --- Social Factors --- p.1-8 / Chapter 1.6 --- Problems on Groups --- p.1-9 / Chapter Chapter 2. --- Group Decision Support Systems / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.2-1 / Chapter 2.2 --- Group Decision Making / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Definition of Decision-making Group --- p.2-2 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- An Information-Exchange View --- p.2-2 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Group Interaction --- p.2-3 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Group Decision Making Process --- p.2-4 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Group Decision Making Process Model TC-l --- p.2-7 / Chapter 2.3 --- Group Decision Support System --- p.2-9 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Current Research Trend --- p.2-9 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Definition of GDSSs --- p.2-10 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Comparisons of Major Features of GDSSs in Practice --- p.2-13 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- The GDSS Software Models / Chapter 2.3.4.1 --- The Software Components --- p.2-19 / Chapter 2.3.4.2 --- Mapping Group Decision Making Concepts into GDSS Model --- p.2-23 / Chapter Chapter 3. --- The GDSS Design / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.3-1 / Chapter 3.2 --- System Overall Objectives --- p.3-2 / Chapter 3.3 --- The Assumptions --- p.3-2 / Chapter 3.4 --- System Scope / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Design Scope --- p.3-3 / Chapter 3.5 --- Objectives / Chapter 3.5.1 --- User's Perspective --- p.3-4 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- System's Perspective --- p.3-5 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Decision Support Perspective --- p.3-7 / Chapter 3.6 --- The Conceptual Design of Our GDSS --- p.3-8 / Chapter 3.6.1 --- The Information Exchange Subsystem --- p.3-8 / Chapter 3.6.2 --- The Decision Making Subsystem --- p.3-10 / Chapter 3.6.3 --- The Communications Framework of The System --- p.3-12 / Chapter 3.7 --- The Physical Design of The System / Chapter 3.7.1 --- The Network Structure --- p.3-14 / Chapter 3.7.2 --- The Communications Flow --- p.3-16 / Chapter 3.7.3 --- The Overall System Structure / Chapter 3.7.3.1 --- The Setup Module Its Functions and Components --- p.3-17 / Chapter 3.7.3.2 --- The Monitor Module Its Functions and Logic --- p.3-19 / Chapter 3.7.3.3 --- The Private Module Its Functions and Logic --- p.3-22 / Chapter 3.7.3.4 --- The Common Module Its Functions and Logic --- p.3-24 / Chapter 3.7.4 --- The System Overall Control Logic --- p.3-26 / Chapter 3.8 --- Aids in Group Decision Making / Chapter 3.8.1 --- The Nominal Group Technique --- p.3-29 / Chapter 3.8.2 --- Decision Tree --- p.3-30 / Chapter 3.8.3 --- Multi-Attribute Utility Technique (MAU) --- p.3-32 / Chapter 3.8.4 --- Adjusted Multi-Attribute Utility Model --- p.3-35 / Chapter 3.8.5 --- Compromise Rules / Chapter a. --- Simple Majority --- p.3-38 / Chapter b. --- Borda Rule --- p.3-39 / Chapter c. --- Weighting --- p.3-40 / Chapter 3.9 --- The Information-Exchange Phase --- p.3-41 / Chapter 3.10 --- The Decision Making Phase / Chapter I --- Factors to Consider --- p.3-41 / Chapter II --- The Solution of Finalizing / Chapter Chapter 4. --- The Implementation of GDSS / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.4-1 / Chapter 4.2 --- The Mechanism of Exchanging Information --- p.4-1 / Chapter 4.3 --- The Implementation of NGT --- p.4-2 / Chapter 4.4 --- The Forming of The Decision Structure --- p.4-3 / Chapter 4.5 --- The Finalizing of Node Details --- p.4-9 / Chapter 4.6 --- Methods in Evaluating A Final Choice --- p.4-12 / Chapter Chapter 5. --- A Practical Application / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.5-1 / Chapter 5.2 --- Background --- p.5-1 / Chapter 5.3 --- Objective --- p.5-2 / Chapter 5.4 --- Decision Analysis Rationale --- p.5-3 / Chapter 5.5 --- The Decision Tree --- p.5-4 / Chapter 5.6 --- Decision Making Process --- p.5-8 / Chapter 5.7 --- The Feedback on Use of The System --- p.5-10 / Chapter Chapter 6. --- Conclusion / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.6-1 / Chapter 6.2 --- System Feedback --- p.6-2 / Chapter 6.3 --- The Practical Means of The System --- p.6-5 / Chapter 6.4 --- The Limitation of The System --- p.6-6 / Chapter 6.5 --- The Future Perspective of The System --- p.6-6 / References --- p.ref-1

by Cheung Wai-Lam, William. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1992. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 93-96). / Chapter chapter 1: --- introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- STRUCTURE OF REPORT --- p.3 / Chapter 1.4 --- CHAPTER SUMMARY --- p.5 / Chapter chapter 2: --- decision support systems (dss) / Chapter 2.1 --- THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS --- p.6 / Chapter 2.2 --- DEFINITION OF DSS --- p.8 / Chapter 2.3 --- STRUCTURE OF DSS --- p.12 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Users --- p.12 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Database --- p.12 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Model Base --- p.14 / Chapter 2.4 --- CHAPTER SUMMARY --- p.15 / Chapter chapter 3: --- dss for stock evaluation / Chapter 3.1 --- STOCK VALUATION: CAPM vs APT --- p.16 / Chapter 3.2 --- DSS FOR STOCK INVESTMENT --- p.21 / Chapter 3.3 --- THE PROPOSED STOCK EVALUATION DSS --- p.23 / Chapter 3.4 --- CHAPTER SUMMARY --- p.26 / Chapter chapter 4: --- analyticheerarchy process (ahp) / Chapter 4.1 --- WHAT IS AHP --- p.27 / Chapter 4.2 --- AN EXAMPLE: PLANT LOCATION SELECTION --- p.27 / Chapter 4.3 --- COMPUTATION PROCESS OF AHP / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Notations --- p.35 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Principal Eigenvector --- p.35 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Eigenvalue --- p.36 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Consistency Ratio --- p.36 / Chapter 4.4 --- CHAPTER SUMMARY --- p.37 / Chapter chapter 5: --- an ahp model for stock evaluation / Chapter 5.1 --- ALTERNATIVES FOR STOCK EVALUATION --- p.39 / Chapter 5.2 --- THE AHP MODEL FOR STOCK SELECTION --- p.41 / Chapter 5.3 --- EXPLANATIONS AND JUSTIFICATIONS FOR PROPOSED HIERARCHY --- p.43 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Level1 --- p.45 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Level2 --- p.45 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Level3 --- p.46 / Chapter 5.3.4 --- Level4 --- p.48 / Chapter 5.3.5 --- Level5 --- p.49 / Chapter 5.3.6 --- Level6 --- p.60 / Chapter 5.4 --- CHAPTER SUMMARY --- p.61 / Chapter chapter 6: --- the development of iris: a prototype / Chapter 6.1 --- SYSTEM FLOWCHART --- p.63 / Chapter 6.2 --- PROGRAM SPECIFICATION --- p.65 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- File Maintenance Module --- p.65 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Hierarchy Setup --- p.65 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- Eigenvector Computation --- p.67 / Chapter 6.2.4 --- Overall Weight Computation --- p.67 / Chapter 6.3 --- PROTOTYPE OPERATION --- p.67 / Chapter 6.4 --- CHAPTER SUMMARY --- p.79 / Chapter chapter 7: --- user evaluationof model and prototype / Chapter 7.1 --- METHODOLOGY OF EVALUATION --- p.82 / Chapter 7.1.1 --- Participants --- p.82 / Chapter 7.1.2 --- Stock Candidates --- p.83 / Chapter 7.1.3 --- Stock Data --- p.83 / Chapter 7.1.4 --- Process of Model and Prototype Evaluation --- p.84 / Chapter 7.2 --- FINDINGS --- p.85 / Chapter 7.2.1 --- Structure the Stock Evaluation Process --- p.86 / Chapter 7.2.2 --- Time-consuming --- p.87 / Chapter 7.2.3 --- The Consistency Ratio --- p.87 / Chapter 7.2.4 --- Reconsideration of Factors --- p.87 / Chapter 7.2.5 --- Precise Amount Available --- p.88 / Chapter 7.2.6 --- Users Forced to Considered All Factors --- p.88 / Chapter 7.3 --- CONCLUSION OF EVALUATION --- p.89 / Chapter 7.4 --- CHAPTER SUMMARY --- p.90 / Chapter chapter 8: --- summary and conclusion / Chapter 8.1 --- REPORT SUMMARY --- p.91 / Chapter 8.2 --- CONCLUSION --- p.91 / references --- p.93 / appendix --- p.97

by Liu Shu Cheung, Jimmy. / Thesis (M.Ph.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1988. / Bibliography: leaves 61-64.

An Engineering Decision Support System, EDSS, was developed using Bayesian mathematics which incorporates knowledge and confidence components observed in alternative-criterion pair decision making. The separation of knowledge and confidence has been previously unaccounted for in decision-making methods. EDSS provides decision support to individuals or teams which must make choices between alternatives using alternative-criterion pair evaluations. Further, EDSS was instanciated into computer software. The EDSS decision support system was statistically tested using two variables, mechanical experience of the participants and the use of a decision method, at two different levels and in a replicated factorial experiment. The experiment consisted of teams of subjects solving a simple mechanical design problem. Data from the experiment was collected for eighteen different metrics in four categories. This research reports on each of eighteen metrics using the hypothesis that the use of EDSS will show improvements in, or positive impact on, the following four categories: the decision making productivity of idea processing, the decision-making process, the perception of the decisions made by the decision makers, and the ease of use of a computer decision support tool. Statistical results of the experiment showed that EDSS successfully matched ad-hoc and Pugh's decision matrix performance for sixteen of the eighteen metrics and statistically exceeded the remaining two. These two metrics are, the conduction of more evaluations of alternative-criterion pairs ,and increased problem understanding. This research also shows that a new alternative-criterion pair evaluation method has been successfully created that provides for: - A separation of knowledge and confidence in the Belief Model of decision making. - Decision results without complete evaluation of all alternative-criterion pairs. - Aggregation of preferences from team members. - A convenient means for investigating decision improvements. / Graduation date: 1997

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Delaware, 2006. / Principal faculty advisors: Sandra M. Carberry and Keith S. Decker, Dept. of Computer & Information Sciences. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Kent State University, 2005. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed Feb. 23, 2005). Advisor: Acar, William. Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center. Keywords: strategy making; causal mapping; multi-agent systems; knowledge management; dialectical inquiry Includes bibliographical references (p. 111-116).

Thesis Erasmus University Rotterdam. / ook verschenen in gedrukte versie. With bibliogr., with a summary in Dutch.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 163-177).

Thesis (M.S.)--Florida State University, 2004. / Advisor: Dr. Lisa K. Spainhour, Florida State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Civil Engineering. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed 6/16/04). Includes bibliographical references.