Stimulus Agents: An alternative Framework for Computer-aided Decision Making

Systems, Group DSS and similar computer-based tools are based on conceptual frameworks developed in the early 80s. New frameworks capturing the latest research tendencies in the DSS field are needed as a basis for the next generation of decision support tools. The alternative DSS framework illustrated in this paper is rooted in the metaphor of a "Decision Making Arena " in which decision makers define and explore their problems interactively under the continuous stimulus (help, guidance and criticism) of dynamic "Agents". The role of such electronic agents is to recreate a team-work environment. Accordingly, they assume in turn the role of information providers, servants, experts or mentors. By intervening in the arena on explicit request of the decision maker as well as unexpectedly, dynamic agents illustrate a "supporting by challenging " approach to computer-aided decision making