Decision support systems and the decision making process: the case of a municipality in Parana, Brazil

Abstract

The municipal management process may be influenced by endogenous and exogenous factors. Within this paradigm, it appears that two factors are relevant to help municipalities to conduct an effective administration in the search for competitiveness, growth, social and economic development: information systems and decision making processes. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the information systems for decision support and decision-making in a Municipal Department of Industry, Trade, Services and Tourism (SICST). The evidence on urban and municipal management, information systems and decision-making supports this work. The method used was a case study only through a protocol of analysis and a roadmap of questions. The analysis has shown that information is not available systematically over time, the decision aims to aid the team's request for information technology. The study showed that the information systems currently used to support the decision of SICST are not adequate to support the positive actions in decision-making processes, leaving the secretary susceptible to errors and difficulties in management. The contribution to academy involves highlighting the methodological strategy of a case study and techniques to analyze the results. For the municipalities and their departments, this paper shows the lack of information systems to support appropriate decision. There was a limitation that was the small sample, not allowing for scientific extrapolations and generalizations to other municipalities. As for future studies, to the use of multiple case studies technique is recommended.