Using autonomous software agents to create the next generation of decision support systems

    Authors

    T. J. Hess; L. P. Rees;T. R. Rakes

    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Decis. Sci.

    Keywords

    artificial intelligence; autonomous systems; decision support systems; mobile code; and software agents; INTELLIGENT AGENTS; Management

    Abstract

    The purpose of this research is to explore the promise of autonomous software agents in Decision Support Systems (DSS). Because definitions of software agents extant in the literature are divergent, we develop and provide a descriptive definition useful for our purpose. The benefits of agents and the particular characteristics of agents leading to DSS enrichment are examined. To facilitate this we build a DSS described elsewhere in the literature and enhance it with different types of autonomous software agents. From this experience, a general framework for agent-enabled DSS is suggested. It is concluded that such a DSS in general will be more difficult to build than traditional DSS, but at least some agent-enabled DSS will bring significant benefit to users.

    Journal Title

    Decision Sciences

    Volume

    31

    Issue/Number

    1

    Publication Date

    1-1-2000

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    1

    Last Page

    31

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000180188400001

    ISSN

    0011-7315

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