Social problems such as education and food concern all human beings. For this reason, solving them is also everyone's responsibility and multidisciplinary work is a viable option to attack the problems. However, social problems have historically been dealt with by specialists in humanitarian areas with minimal support from technical areas such as computers. Sensitizing ourselves to these types of problems is necessary at all times. This article tries to motivate computer and technical specialists in general to contribute proposals that contribute to solving the basic problems of humanity. In this case, through the Decision Support Systems.
Introduction
As a cutting-edge technological tool, the computer has been very well used to support all branches of science, in some of them to a greater extent than in others. Administration, medicine and commerce have been some of those branches that have benefited greatly; Sophisticated equipment, information systems and specialized applications have helped strengthen human knowledge.
Decision Support Systems (DSS) are in a broad sense, a set of programs and tools that allow obtaining in a timely manner the information required during the decision-making process that takes place in an environment of uncertainty. They help managers' decision making by combining data, sophisticated analytical models, and user-friendly software into a single powerful system that can support semi-structured or unstructured decision making.
For several decades Decision Support Systems have had many and varied applications, the most common of which have been in problems of:
- Resource Allocation Project Management Inventory Control Forecasting Waiting Line Management Transportation and Distribution Market Share Prediction
Features and components
- Provides support to decision makers in semi-structured and unstructured situations by integrating data, models and human judgment Support in all phases of the decision-making process Establish a framework and style for decision-making Refinement of the model and the system. Use of a standard model adapted to needs. It enables the execution of sensitivity analysis (ability to see the significance of decision-making). Historical record of decisions and monitoring.
Contribution to social problems
Understanding this we will try to find applications of this type of computational systems in problems of a social nature. Despite the fact that the cutting-edge technological tools are conceived as tools for the most recent problems or of greater current importance and are not directed to support the search for solutions to the oldest and most elementary problems of humanity. This is not limited to Decision Support Systems, however, these can be of great support to find alternative solutions to educational, nutritional, cultural, ecological problems, etc.
In Mexico there are organizations dedicated to analyzing and seeking solutions for social problems of different types. Particularly in the State of Chihuahua we can mention some such as the State Coordination of Tarahumara, the National Indigenous Institute, the Chihuahuense Institute of Culture or the Center for Research and Teaching. They carry out projects where professionals from different disciplines participate. Although there are people who contribute knowledge of the information technology area, these are limited to the use of the computer as an administrative tool and in the best of cases as an analysis tool through very specific applications such as statistical packages or cartography management.
To clarify the possible contributions of professionals in the information technology area to solving problems of a social nature through Decision Support Systems, some problems of this type are mentioned below as well as an analogy with a common problem treated with a Decision Support System.
| Social problem | Common problem |
| Definition and distribution of budget in education | Resource allocation |
| Administration of forest exploitation projects | Project management |
| Rational use of the natural resources of a lake | Inventory control |
| Prediction of the geographic distribution of neighborhoods and urbanization needs | Market share prediction |
conclusion
This article attempts to highlight the lack of sensitivity that has existed on the part of information technology specialists towards social problems. The field of work of the computer is being limited and far from the problems that should concern us all. The situations that exist in regions of extreme poverty, family and cultural values, education are as important issues as production, sales and the per capita product of a country.
In a special way, Decision Support Systems can be an important tool for solving social problems. The mixture of information, models and the human judgment of specialists in such specialized areas as culture, education or anthropology can provide better-informed and higher-quality decisions that will gradually influence the life of a country.
As specialists in computer science areas, let's get involved in the problems that affect the majority in our country.
Bibliography
Turban, E., Aronson, JE (2001), Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Upper Saddle River, NJ, Prentice Hall.
Arzate, Omar (2002). Use of Decision Support Systems in Mexican Companies.
Rivera, Manuel (2001). DSS, impact on the decision-making process. Business Key.
