Robert Wellington (DPhil)
Asynchronous Communication Technology: An Organisational Perspective on Efficacy and Use
Robert is at the write up stage of his thesis. His study is now part time. He is working at AUT in Auckland and can be contacted at
robert.wellington@aut.ac.nz

Peter Gilmour (DPhil)
An Examination of How Expert's Decision Making Processes Manifest the Latent Implications of Their Cognitive Style
Peter has submitted his thesis.

Stuart Dillon (DPhil)
Supporting the Design Stage of Decision Making: A Meso Approach
In general, good decisions come from clear and transparent processes. This research focuses on decision processes, in particular, the formulation stages including problem structuring. Structuring decision problems is currently more art than science (Buede, 1986). It is, as von Winterfeldt (1980) suggests, an imaginative and creative process of translating an initially ill-defined problem into a set of well-defined elements, relations, and operations. Research into both problem structuring for decision making and behavioural decision making has been called for. In response, this proposed research involves the development of a conceptual model of a problem structuring process with the view to improved understanding and execution of the design phase of decision making. This process will be based on a synthesis of the descriptive and normative decision making literature along with an evaluation of existing problem structuring strategies. Incorporation of the descriptive literature is an important element of this work, as neither decision makers nor analysts appear to utilise formal problem structuring strategies that are currently available (Bell, 1982).

The objective of this research is to investigate how managerial decision making can be improved through support. An approach that encompasses aspects of both the observed decision making behaviour of real decision makers and the prescriptive decision making literature is anticipated. This will involve the development of a conceptual model. This will be undertaken based upon a synthesis of the decision making literature in combination with a review of the vast array of problem structuring and decision support tools that are in existence along with an identification of the reasons for their usage (or non usage). The study is focused, in particular, on the area of problem structuring.

Page updated: 16 April, 1998 - JTB