Mobile decision support systems research: a literature analysis

Abstract

This paper analyses the current state of mobile decision support systems (MDSS) research. To provide context for the analysis, the history and characteristics of mobile devices are presented. To understand the state and progress of MDSS research, an empirical investigation of published MDSS research in top information systems (IS) journals is presented. This investigation is based on the detailed analysis of 32 MDSS articles published in nine major IS journals from 2002 to 2012. The analysis identified some interesting patterns of MDSS research, in terms of research type, DSS factors, judgement and decision-making factors, and mobile devices used. Based on the empirical findings, six future research avenues that can potentially improve MDSS research are suggested: research on data- and/or knowledge-driven MDSS; interpretivism research; theory testing and theory refinement research; non-empirical research, field study/experiment and action research; MDSS research focused on senior executives; and research with strong theoretical foundations.

Keywords:

• mobile decision support systems
• decision support systems
• information systems
• mobile devices
• literature analysis
• research

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Irvan Bastian Arief Ang for his research assistance on the project, especially in obtaining the articles and coding. The comments and suggestions of the two anonymous reviewers significantly improved the paper.