Assessing the perception of information components in financial decision support systems

Estimating the contribution of DSS to financial consulting decision-making is attracting considerable interest in the fast-growing field of banking DSS. This study evaluated the perceived role of banking DSS in the decision-making of investment counselors. A questionnaire was submitted to 40 investment counselors to determine the comparative importance of DSS information components. Data were analyzed using two complementary methods (analytical hierarchy processing and Neumann–Segev). The most important information components were customer's and investment risk classification, and customer goals and nature of investment. The results differed across administrative ranks and as a function of the user's experience level.

► We evaluated the perceived role of DSS in the decision-making processes of investment counselors.
► Questionnaires were filled by investment counselors to determine the rank of the DSS components.
► Data were analyzed using analytical hierarchy processing and Neumann–Segev methods.
► The most important DSS information components were customer and investment risk classifications.
► Other important DSS components were the customer goals and nature of investment.