Abstract
M.Comm. (Business Management)
The objectives of this research project were identified as being as follows:
• To identify the possible use of Decision Support Systems III financial
institutions through a literature study with attention given to:
• the relationship of decision theory to Decision Support Systems
• the theory of Decision Support Systems
• how Decision Support Systems are currently used, and
• trends in the use of Decision Support Systems.• To identify the use and awareness of Decision Support Systems in a spectrum
of financial institutions in South Africa by interviewing selected individuals
from a number of financial institutions. The interviews were necessary due to
the lack of specific South African literature. Aspects that were investigated
and analysed are:
• the current use of Decision Support Systems,
• the planned implementation of Decision Support Systems, and
• the comparison of international practices with the situation in South
Africa.
The institutions that were targeted are two of the major banks, a niche bank, an
insurance company and a stock-broking company.