Thesis (Ph. D.) University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on month August 3, 2007) Includes bibliographical references.

Kevin L. Boettcher and Robert R. Tenney. / "October 1985." Caption title. / Bibliography: leaf [6]. / Office of Naval Research grant ONR/N00014-77-C-0532 (NR 041-519) ONR/N00014-84-K-0519 (NR 649-003)

For many decisions validation of their outcomes is invariably problematic to objectively assess. Therefore to aid analysis and validation of decision outcomes, approaches which provide improved traceability and more semantically meaningful measurements of the decision process are required. Hence, this research investigates traceability, transparency, interactivity and auditability to improve the decision making process. Approaches and evaluation measures are proposed to facilitate a richer decision making experience. Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) seeks to determine the suitability of alternatives of a goal with respect to multiple criteria. A key component of prominent MCDA methods is the concept of pairwise comparison. For a set of elements, pairwise comparison enables an accurate and transparent extraction and codification of a decision maker’s preferences, though facilitating a separation of concerns. From a set of pairwise comparisons, a ranking of the elements under consideration can be calculated. There are scenarios when a set of pairwise comparisons undergo alteration, both for individual and multiple decision makers. A set of measures of compromise are proposed to quantify the alteration that a set of pairwise comparisons undergo in such scenarios. The measures seek to provide a decision maker with meaningful knowledge regarding how their views have altered. A set of pairwise comparisons may be inconsistent. When inconsistency is present it adversely affects a ranking of the elements derived from the comparisons. Moreover inconsistency within pairwise comparisons used for consideration of more than a handful of elements is almost inevitable. Existing approaches that seek to alter a set of comparisons to reduce inconsistency lack traceability, flexibility, and specific consideration of alteration to the judgments in a way that is meaningful to a decision maker. An approach to inconsistency reduction is proposed that seeks to address these issues. For many decisions the opinions of multiple decision makers are utilized, either to avail of their combined expertise or to incorporate conflicting views. Aggregation of multiple decision makers’ pairwise companions seek to combine the views of the group into a single representation of views. An approach to group aggregation of pairwise comparisons is proposed that models compromise between the decision makers, facilitates decision maker constraints, considers inconsistency reduction during aggregation and dynamically incorporates decision maker weights of importance. With internet access becoming widespread being able to garner the views of a large group of decision makers’ views has become feasible. An approach to the aggregation of a large group of decision makers’ preferences is proposed. The approach facilitates understanding regarding both the agreement and conflict within the group during calculation of an overall group consensus. A Multi-Objective Optimisation Decision Software (MOODS) prototype tool has been developed that implements both the new measures of compromise and the proposed approaches to inconsistency reduction and group aggregation.

Group Support Systems (GSS) are systems, normally involving the use of Information Technology, that have been designed to support groups of people meeting to undertake some task. By providing an additional channel of communication, GSS attempt to reduce group process losses, such as domination of the group by one or more members, and to enhance positive aspects of the group process, for example a group member thinking of a new and useful idea as a result of awareness of the contribution of other group members. A number of different types of GSS have been developed involving different levels of IT support. However, the majority of research has been targeted at GSS involving networked personal computers, where each member of the group uses an individual personal computer to enter opinions and values. Another type of GSS involves a single personal computer, a large screen that can be viewed by all members of a group, and a number of personal handsets that can be used to send numeric information to the personal computer. Relative to networked personal computer based GSS, there has been far less research on the effectiveness of handset based GSS in supporting a group of people meeting on some task. Additionally, there is conflicting evidence between studies of GSS that have been undertaken in the laboratory, and studies that have been undertaken in the field. Laboratory studies have found little evidence to suggest that the group process is improved through the use of a GSS, whilst field studies have identified benefits. The evaluation of the validity of a GSS is a complex issue, and can be considered from a number of perspectives and approaches. This portfolio of projects concerns the development and evaluation of a type of k-GSS in organisational settings. The portfolio includes an account of the background to the development of the GSS and an initial evaluation of the usefulness of the system through a number of field studies. Two field applications of the GSS are the subject of an in-depth evaluation, and include evaluation of both process variables and output variables. The evaluation of the GSS in these applications suggests that an important factor in improving the group process through using a GSS is the extent to which dialogue is encouraged in the group. Additionally, a GSS Design Framework and GSS Design Guidelines are identified which should be reviewed when an application using this type of technology in an organisational context is being considered.

Submitted by Caroline Falcao (caroline.rfalcao@ufpe.br) on 2017-06-01T16:58:59Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Flavio Trojan TESE.pdf: 2776137 bytes, checksum: 55e95b9ae53f2fce24e0caa97923ffeb (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-01T16:58:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Flavio Trojan TESE.pdf: 2776137 bytes, checksum: 55e95b9ae53f2fce24e0caa97923ffeb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-04-25 / Por conta das dificuldades implícitas ao processo decisório em grupo e dos problemas correlatos no setor de abastecimento de água, tais como: perdas físicas e econômicas, uso incorreto da água e custos com manutenção, fica evidente a necessidade de elaboração de pesquisas e estudos, envolvendo métodos para apoiar decisões, a fim de diminuir desperdícios de água e sua exploração desnecessária. Este trabalho tem como objetivo auxiliar nas tomadas de decisões de problemas emergentes no setor de manutenção de redes de distribuição de água. Dois dos principais problemas do setor são abordados. O primeiro deles explora a classificação de áreas de medição de vazão, conforme sua criticidade, para auxiliar no controle de perdas de água. Para este problema é proposto um modelo multicritério para classificação de áreas críticas de medição de vazão, baseado no método ELECTRE TRI, sendo sua estrutura quantitativa com o levantamento dos dados feito por meio de um sistema automatizado. O segundo problema abordado baseia-se na classificação realizada no modelo anterior e explora quais alternativas de manutenção são potencialmente eficazes para serem implementadas nas classes, de acordo com a visão de um grupo de decisores, para reduzir perdas de água e custos de manutenção. Assim, este segundo modelo trata da problemática de ordenação de alternativas de manutenção por meio de uma tomada de decisão em grupo, sendo baseado no método ELECTRE II, a fim de apoiar as ordenações individuais numa primeira fase, e posteriormente, no método COPELAND, para agregação das preferências do grupo. Estes modelos consideram aspectos subjetivos e objetivos ao mesmo tempo, a fim de fornecer como resultado aos decisores uma visão mais clara e global sobre quais alternativas poderão atender os múltiplos objetivos estabelecidos pela organização, decorrentes das preferências de um grupo de decisores de diferentes áreas. Com os modelos desenvolvidos é possível conhecer as áreas críticas de uma rede de distribuição de água para apoiar a gestão da manutenção e priorizar as alternativas potenciais para redução das perdas de água. / Because of the difficulties implied in the group decision making process and related problems in the sector of water supply, such as: physical and economic losses, incorrect use of water and maintenance costs, the need for research and studies developing methods to support the decisions, reducing unnecessary exploitation and waste becomes evident. This work aims to assist decision-making for arising problems in the maintenance area of the water networks. Two major problems in the sector are addressed. The first explores the correct classification of critical areas of flow measurement, classifying them according to their priorities to help control water loss. For this problem, a multicriteria model that deals with the classification of critical flow measurement is proposed, it is based on the ELECTRE TRI method, presenting an overview of its structure with quantitative data collection through an automated system. The second problem addressed is based on the classification carried out in the previous model and explores which maintenance alternatives are potentially effective to be implemented in priority classes according to the group of decision makers point of view to reduce water losses. The following multicriteria model proposes that a group of decision makers sort out maintenance and investment alternatives for areas previously classified according to their criticality. Thus, this second model deals with the problem of sorting out maintenance alternatives through group decision making, initially based on ELECTRE II, to support individual ordinations, and subsequently, on the Copeland method, for group preference aggregation. These models consider subjective and objective aspects simultaneously, in order to provide the decision makers with a clearer and comprehensive view in which the alternatives can attend the multiple objectives set by companies, arising from the preferences of a group of decision makers from different areas. With the models developed, it is possible to recognize priority classes to support the maintenance management, where the critical points are, and the major potential alternatives to solve maintenance problems and water loss in these classes through aggregation of preferences and global ordering.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / The goal of this study is to provide a single source of data that enables the selection of an appropriate voice recognition (VR) application for a decision support system (DSS) as well as for other computer applications. A brief background of both voice recognition systems and decision supports systems is provided with special emphasis given to the dialog component of DSS. The categories of voice recognition discussed are human factors, environmental factors, situational factors, quantitative factors, training factors, host computer factors, and experiments and research. Each of these areas of voice recognition is individually analyzed, and specific references to applicable literature are included. This study also includes appendices that contain: a glossary (including definitions) of phrases specific to both decision support system and voice recognition systems, keywords applicable to this study, an annotated bibliography (alphabetically and by specific topics) of current VR systems literature containing over 200 references, an index of publishers, a complete listing of current commercially available VR systems. / http://archive.org/details/applicationofvoi00drak / Lieutenant, United States Navy

No description available.

This study examined the effects of collective interdependence efficacy on the difficulty of self-chosen group goals and performance levels. Teamwork interdependence KSAs were manipulated by false feedback in an experimental setting.

The primary purpose of this study was to explore the challenges and benefits associated with cultural diversity within groups. The research hypotheses were proposed to test the effects of cultural diversity on group performance and group processes by comparing culturally diverse and culturally homogeneous groups under conditions of intergroup competition and noncompetition. This experiment was conducted using 500 upper-level undergraduates enrolled in the principles of management course for the fall semester.

Understanding household long-term decisions concerning residential location/relocation, car ownership and short-term activity travel choices are crucial for land use and transport planning. However, when addressing these issues, multitudes of choice models applying individual or unitary household decision-making mechanisms have dominated in transport studies, ignoring the interactions among household members in consensual decision making in real situations. To promote the investigation of these issues from a group decision-making perspective, this study explores the applicability of various group decision-making approaches to investigate multiple long-term decisions and short-term choices. Specifically, this thesis has four main research objectives: 1) adopt a utilitarian approach to develop an integrated model that links household members' consensual long-term decisions like housing, vehicle ownership and short-term activity-travel decisions like time use, explicitly capturing expenditure tradeoff for long-term decisions on housing and car ownership; 2) employ the Nash bargaining approach to model household members' consensual car ownership choice and examine this choice from the perspective of household time allocation; 3) apply an egalitarian bargaining approach (capture household members' concern for equity) to model household residential relocation choice, make a comparative study among this approach, Nash bargaining approach, and conventional utilitarian approach, and then accommodate these heterogeneous group decision mechanisms in a unified modeling framework; 4) examine the impacts of vehicle usage rationing policy on household car ownership and spouses' time allocation patterns. The database that serves for empirical applications of the formulated models is from a two-wave household activity-travel diary survey conducted in Beijing. This thesis contributes to current literature by adopting new approaches to investigate various group decision-making mechanisms among household members, comparing and assessing the predictive performance of different group decision approaches, as well as explicitly capturing household's long-term expenditure tradeoff. Insights and findings from this study are helpful for gaining profound understanding of spatial distribution of residence, household car ownership and individuals' activity-travel patterns, which will be conducive to the formulation of relevant policies for sustainable urban development.