TY - JOUR AB - Purpose– The knowledge of artefact design in design science research can have an important application in the improvement of decision support systems (DSS) development research. Recent DSS literature has identified a significant need to develop user-centric DSS method for greater relevance with respect to context of use. The purpose of this paper is to develop a collective DSS design artefact as method in a practical industry context. Design/methodology/approach– Under the influence of goal-directed interaction design principles the study outlines the innovative DSS artefact based on design science methodology to deliver a cutting-edge decision support solution, which provides user-centric provisions through the use of design environment and ontology techniques. Findings– The DSS artefact as collective information technology applications through the application of design science knowledge can effectively be designed to meet decision makers’ contextual needs in an agricultural industry context. Research limitations/implications– The study has limitations in that it was developed in a case study context and remains to be fully tested in a real business context. It is also assumed that the domain decisions can be parameterised and represented using a constraint programming language. Practical implications– The paper concludes that the DSS artefact design and this development successfully overcomes some of the limitations of traditional DSS such as low-user uptake, system obsolescence, low returns on investment and a requirement for continual re-engineering effort. Social implications– The design artefact has the potential of increasing user uptake in an industry that has had relevancy problems with past DSS implementation and has experienced associated poor uptake. Originality/value– The design science paradigm provides structural guidance throughout the defined process, helping ensure fidelity both to best industry knowledge and to changing user contexts. VL - 27 IS - 3 SN - 0959-3845 DO - 10.1108/ITP-04-2012-0041 UR - https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-04-2012-0041 AU - J. Miah Shah AU - Kerr Don AU - von Hellens Liisa PY - 2014 Y1 - 2014/01/01 TI - A collective artefact design of decision support systems: design science research perspective T2 - Information Technology & People PB - Emerald Group Publishing Limited SP - 259 EP - 279 Y2 - 2024/04/25 ER -