Decision and Information Analysis

The Decision and Information Analysis area deals with the variety of approaches to structured and unstructured decisionmaking that is essential in the corporation of today and tomorrow. Three central themes reflect attention to decision analysis (including quantitative methods), management of operations (including quality management) and the role of information technology in the contemporary enterprise. The decision analysis and operations management portions of the curriculum reflect the increasing role of human and computer-aided decision processes in the everyday operations of an effective enterprise. Statistical and operations management practice permit the general manager to challenge current practice and work toward improved quality in processes and products. Understanding world class operations is important transforming current management and business practice into adaptive organizational structures.

Over the past three decades Information Technology (IT) has permeated all the functional activities of most organizations. Indications are that this penetration will continue over the next decade, as the cost of IT continues to drop significantly, its processing capabilities increase and insight grows on its effective utilization. In some instances IT has revolutionized the way firms do business. IT is no longer simply a resource to the business; it has become a critical component of the business environment itself. Where once an organization was defined by bricks and mortar. IT has helped to break down those walls, redefining the organization as a network of intra-organizational and inter-organizational relationships and redefining the work of an organization from exclusively creating physical products to managing information.

Innovative companies are responding to these challenges by actively exploiting opportunities to rethink patterns of decisionmaking; redesigning their organizations, creating new external linkages, and forging new strategic alliances. Courses offered by DIA are designed to help the student to better understand and participate in these transformations. In addition to tools and methods for decisionmaking, DIA develops a broad strategic perspective and specific knowledge and skills required to faces both structured and unstructured decisionmaking activities. In the DIA curriculum, national and international perspectives in both national and global enterprise initiatives are considered. In addition to the study of decision processes in large and small domestic markets, we examine situations in various parts of the global environment - Singapore, Hong Kong, Finland, Japan, Norway, Germany, Canada, Africa, Spain, etc. .

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