Decision support system and knowledge-based strategic management

Decision Support Systems (DSS) are popular tools that assist decision-making in an organisation. The importance of Knowledge Management (KM) is also recognised due to its contributions in decision-making in organisations. DSS have been synergised with knowledge management systems and have evolved from earlier concepts of "data processing" and Management Information Systems (MIS) to their current form as indispensable IS aid for decision-making. The most common application of the synergy of DSS and KM can be found in Group Support Systems (GSS). GSS support group functions like brainstorming, idea evaluation, and communication facilities. Links between Knowledge Management (KM) and Strategic Management of business are also discussed. KM has the potential of enabling businesses to gain competitive advantage through a detailed study of the environmental factors. This way, DSS are automatically viewed as key support functions, as they enable knowledge operatives and decision-makers to make well informed decisions through effective study of semi-and ill-structured variables in the external environmental factors.