Communicative action and decision support system development: an integrative approach

Abstract

It is generally accepted that adaptive design methods and flexible constructs facilitate the design and implementation of decision support systems. Flexible constructs in the form of decision support system generators have been proposed for the timely construction of specific decision support systems. Effective communication, however, underlies the success of applying adaptive design methods and creating and modifying decision support system generators. Accordingly, we propose to investigate communication as a mode of action that allows the participants to structure and to exert control over the design environment. A descriptive model is presented that describes how different modes of communicative action are used to enhance the prospects of success when building decision support systems.