He suggests that cultural factors intervene in the last phase, that of software usability assessment techniques, which are commonly applied to assess how usable software is that has been translated into another language. Hypertext files describe technological processes, related legislation and potential markets, while graphical images present plant floor plans and 3-D views of facilities and equipment layout. Costs and market prices are blended into economic-engineering models that compute standard financial evaluation indicators.
Early indications suggest the DSS can effectively promote agroindustrial investments.
According to the results of a study in Tanzania, DSS also have the potential to improve decision quality, competitive edge, timesaving and productivity when users have both sufficient technical knowledge of the system and enough experience on the job. A survey of 27 organisations by Dietrich Splettstoesser of the University of Dar es Salaam and Fred Kimaro of the Cooperative College Moshi, Tanzania, examined the user perception of DSS in support of decision-making. Next, Howard Rubin of Hunter College takes a sideways look at IT from a global viewpoint. As a starting point for understanding the issues in IT in developing countries, many of us examine how the situation in developed countries contrasts to that in the third world. Howard's contribution provides many of the details that can help flesh out such a comparison.