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To complete the general multi‐criteria decision‐analysis process and extend it to the process of requisitely holistic generating ideas and developing them into innovations. Also, in terms of dialectical systems thinking, to recommend the use of individual and group methods and software supporting this process.

In 1974, Mulej invented and introduced the “Dialectical System” concept (DS), and in 1998 Mulej and Kajzer fortified DS with “the Law of Requisite Holism.” The concept was well‐verified in practice, but lacked the support of quantitative versions of systems thinking. In this paper, we eliminate that deficiency: we complete and extend Belton and Stewart's general multi‐criteria decision‐analysis process to a process of generating ideas and developing them into innovations.

Methods and software supportive of creativity can help generate ideas. Multi‐criteria decision‐making (MCDM) methods can be used to complement intuition, verify ideas, and support their development into innovations. The point is in reaching the requisite holism with only a requisite effort by applied systems thinking and innovation.

Quantitative methods are considered necessary and helpful, but are not sufficient conditions for innovations or for holism.

This paper demonstrates that the modern operations research methods can help strengthen innovation and holistic thinking capacity much more than traditional ones.

The innovative aspect of this paper is that it extends a general multiple criteria decision‐analysis process to the process of generating ideas and developing them into innovations. It combines the Dialectical Systems Theory and the MCDM methods, which provides an interesting new synergy.

This paper presents the findings based on a survey conducted to examine the status and extent of the use of computer‐based technology (CBT) to support “quality”, including such aspects as quality control, quality assurance and quality management, in Hong Kong. Five main categories of CBTs, namely decision support systems (DSSs), group support systems (GSSs), executive information systems (EISs), expert systems (ESs) and artificial neural networks (ANNs), in support of quality are surveyed. The survey findings indicate that CBT usage to support quality in Hong Kong is low, particularly ESs and ANNs. This is partly due to a lack of awareness regarding the potential of CBTs in supporting quality among their potential users, and partly because of a lack of availability of suitable software to support their use. This paper represents a first attempt to examine the real‐life use of CBTs in support of quality. Based on the research findings, we have identified several opportunities for further research and suggested a number of research directions for CBTs to support “quality”in practice.

Presents an argument for the use of group decision support systems (GDSS) in the promotion of organizational learning. The combination of reflection, analysis, and openness that such systems encourage is postulated to encourage the learning process. Discusses problems associated with power, information loss, and cultural knowledge. Sets out a view of organizational learning which emphasizes that learning can occur at the organizational level through processes.

Policy makers are frequently challenged by the need to achieve sustainable development in cities and regions. Current decision-making processes are based on evaluation support systems which are unable to tackle the problem as they cannot take a holistic approach or a full account of actors. The purpose of this paper is to present a new generation of evaluation systems to support decision making in planning and regeneration processes which involve expert participation. These systems ensure network representation of the issues involved and visualization of multiple scenarios.

A literature review is used for both revising existing evaluation tools in urban planning and the built environment and highlighting the need to give stakeholders (industry, cities, operators, etc.) new tools for collaborative or individual decisions and to facilitate scaling up solutions. An overview of the new generation of decision support systems, named Multicriteria Spatial Decision Support Systems (MC-SDSS) is provided and real case studies are analyzed to show their ability to tackle the problem.

Recent research findings highlight that decisions in urban planning should be supported by collaborative and inclusive processes. Otherwise, they will fail. The case studies illustrated in this study highlight the usefulness of MC-SDSS for the successful resolution of complex problems, thanks to the visualization facilities and a network representation of the scenarios.

The case studies are limited to the Italian context.

These SDSS are able to empower planners and decision makers to better understand the interaction between city design, social preferences, economic issues and policy incentives. Therefore, they have been employed in several case studies related to territorial planning and regeneration processes.

This study provides three case studies and a review of the new MC-SDSS methodology which involve the Analytic Network Process technique to support decision-making in urban and regional planning.

The purpose of this paper is to report on partial findings of a research project on post‐occupancy design in school projects. It provides a brief review of key factors, and major players in post‐occupancy processes.

Subsequent to literature review for the research, the primary data was obtained from a steering group (stakeholder forum) comprising of a sample of primary and secondary school representatives, local authorities and building professionals. Following the data collection, visits were arranged to the selected schools, and local councils and semi‐structured interviews with school and council authorities were carried out. At the same time, research meeting and directed studies were held to best explore the applications for devising the toolkit. Simulated and real cases for making decisions in post‐occupancy design were selected to devise a model‐base to test out the applicability of the devised prototype of the toolkit.

This study provided clarification on the post‐occupancy performance and practicable expectations of major parties in school projects with special reference to the development stage of the proposed toolkit. The qualitative and quantitative data collected, confirmed that a real‐time updateable support system for decisions is required for making the most reasonable decisions where multi‐criteria/multi‐agent decision is inevitable. The principles of co‐creation of knowledge and value, as suggested in manufacture and service industries, were investigated to inform the underlying design platform for the toolkit. The decision support systems for multi‐criteria decision making processes were also established so that the toolkit can take a full account of the achievements in this area.

The paper highlights the complexities involved in the post‐occupancy decision processes in school projects. Also, the pressing need for a system to assist in streamlining the information flow (particularly upwards, from the schools to the LA) and management of knowledge to facilitate design decisions is identified. The decision processes need to be more integrated, collaborative and inclusive. It also acknowledges that decision making in post‐occupancy processes, is an evolving process. The main contribution of this paper however, remains to be how the collaborative processes were streamlined for all the stakeholders to work together and co‐create knowledge and value to devise a platform.

The information systems discipline is developing at a tremendous pace, producing right things but also wrong ones — even modernisms. In want of more structure it is on the look‐out for identity. Let us take stock of the situation in some important areas:

An intelligent hybrid system, called GloStra (developed by the author), for developing global marketing strategy and associated Internet marketing strategy is reported in this paper. The hybrid system is built to integrate the strengths of expert systems, fuzzy logic, artificial neural networks and decision support technology; and to link the development of global marketing strategy with the formulation of associated Internet marketing strategy. In the paper, the system architecture, the functional modules of the hybrid system and other associated technical issues are addressed. The directions for further research in this field are also highlighted.

This paper reports a web‐based intelligent system, called WebStra, for the formulation of marketing strategies and associated e‐commerce strategies. In the paper, the architecture and functional components of the WebStra system are described. The system's effectiveness and efficiency are also evaluated. WebStra can be applied to support real‐world strategic marketing decision making. It may also be used as a useful tool for training and consultancy purposes.

The paper describes the application of a group decision support system (GDSS) to the work of a panel of public sector workers assessing the needs of clients for various forms of social support and benefit. In particular, the paper focuses on the development of consistency of approach to judgement when the workers come from a variety of professional backgrounds. The application is concerned with the introduction within Norway of an approach to the production of judgemental information relating to clients, and for its subsequent utilisation in a national system. The framework, known as GERIX, is intended to ensure that assistance and support is provided on a fair and equitable basis across the nation. The approach is centred on a set of criteria designed to enable a comprehensive review of a client situation to be undertaken. Data for a client, utilising the criteria, are based on judgemental assessments by professionals. It is, therefore, critical for all involved in these assessments to understand and apply the model in a consistent way. Results strongly suggest that the approach to group process support enhances individual learning of professionals who are required to utilise the GERIX framework.