EXAMINING THE INFLUENCE OF COGNITIVE STYLE ONTHE USE OF A DECISION SUPPORT TOOL FORSTRUCTURED AND UNSTRUCTURED TASKS

摘要

Decision makers are faced with an ever-growing collection of information, and an ever-growing level ofcomplexity with respect to the types of decisions being made. Appropriately designed computerized decisionsupport tools are needed to support the decision maker in the various tasks that they must undertake inevaluating the information, arriving at a decision, and solving the problem. However, a dilemma arises if thedecision maker or problem solver does not have an appropriate tool to support them. This research examinesthe appropriateness of a common, generic decision support tool, in consideration of the types of tasks,structured and unstructured, decision makers undertake and, in particular, the preferred cognitive style andapproach of the individual decision maker. Interesting patterns and significant findings indicate that varyingdecision or problem solving cognitive styles influence the use made of a decision tool, and subsequently theindividual’s performance in completing their tasks.