In business talk creativity, management and information systems are far away from each other. Especially technically trained managers are a bit suspicious about creativity, there is a tension between rational thinking and creative thinking like Tudor Rickards illustrates. What could be the glue bringing these concepts together? Could it be Decision Support Systems (DSS)?
There are many definitions of a DSS, but all have three themes: (1) applied to unstructured problems, (2) supports but does not replace the decision process, and (3) is under the user’s control. This fits to information systems as well?
George Marakas has written a comprehensive book called "Decision Support Systems in the 21st Century". One total chapter is devoted to creative decision making and problem solving.
Marakas clearly sees that "In the realm of DSS design, mechanisms must be developed to allow the decision maker to impart intuition to the decision process as a supplement to other problem-solving resources, including creativity". When you look at the attached picture, [Programmable] is seen by Marakas contradictory to [Intuitive, Creative]. This surely makes IS support for creativity demanding! Currently DSS Information Systems are not very flexible. Actually, it is funny what is considered as DSS Information System / software.
When talking about the future, Marakas point out: "The integration of components of expert systems and other AI approaches with organizational DSSs presents a major focus". New requirements for creativity support in information systems? Great challenge, I am working on it ;-)
Hey, if you happen to know any good Decision Support System with support for creativity, please, comment! Other comments about the DSS phenomenon are welcome as well!
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