Title: Provision of decision support in environmental management

Authors: Kristjan Piirimae

Addresses: Institute of Environmental Engineering, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, Tallinn 19086, Estonia

Abstract: Successful design of environmental decision support systems (EDSS) depends on the accurate understanding of relevant behavioural and decision-making processes in the human mind. EDSS could provide variable types of assistance in various decision steps. Issue definition and criteria setting require articulation of the problem by universal decision frameworks and the Socratic method. Option generation needs creativity support by the provision of various creative environments. In the option assessment step, computers can support by arithmetic computations, deductive reasoning and stimulating intuition. Due to conceptual and technical inconsistencies, pipelining of all simulation tools to a universal environmental supermodel remains impossible. However, a toolbox approach might organise various independent tools in the issue definition phase. Efficient design of artificial intelligence may depend on the involvement of representatives of social control. Instead of leading to sustainable decisions, a functioning EDSS may facilitate ecological degradation, especially in case of long-term and global issues.

Keywords: environmental management; environmental DSS; decision support systems; reasoning; creativity; conceptual modelling; artificial intelligence.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSOC.2011.038477

International Journal of Sustainable Society, 2011 Vol.3 No.1, pp.52 - 69

Published online: 31 Mar 2015 *

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