Title: Taxonomy of a decision: ranking operational decisions within the SME

Authors: Andrew Lynch, Con Sheahan

Addresses: Room ER1-024, Enterprise Research Centre, Engineering Research Building, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland. ' Room ER1-024, Enterprise Research Centre, Engineering Research Building, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland

Abstract: Classical biological taxonomy comprises of three distinctive processes: the identification, classification and nomenclature of a given entity. This research applies the taxonomic process to operational decisions within the SME, allowing one such decision to be rated over another. The methodology was then applied to a case study company, before and after the introduction of decision support software (DSS), for a key decision-making process within that organisation. The value of this research lies in the ability to empirically measure the effect DSS (or a training program) has on a particular operational decision.

Keywords: decision making; decisions taxonomy; small to medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; operational decisions; decision rating; decision support software; DSS.

DOI: 10.1504/IJDSRM.2009.027251

International Journal of Decision Sciences, Risk and Management, 2009 Vol.1 No.1/2, pp.126 - 141

Published online: 18 Jul 2009 *

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