@article{Rose:287292,
      recid = {287292},
      author = {Rose, David C. and Parker, Caroline and Fodery, Joe and  Park, Caroline and Sutherland, William J. and Dicks, Lynn  V.},
      title = {Involving stakeholders in agricultural decision support  systems: Improving user-centred design},
      journal = {International Journal of Agricultural Management},
      address = {2018-01},
      number = {1029-2019-924},
      year = {2018},
      abstract = {Decision Support Systems (DSS) can improve farm management  decisions and offer the opportunity to improve productivity  and limit environmental degradation, both key tenets of the  sustainable intensification of agriculture. While DSS are  becoming increasingly useful for agriculture, the uptake of  computer-based support systems by farmers has remained  disappointingly low as evidenced by studies spanning at  least two decades. This paper explores the reasons behind  this continued lack of interest. Is it, as previous  researchers have proposed, the lack of user involvement in  the design and development of these systems? If so why  should this be the case given decades of evidence  underlining the value in user centred design (UCD)? The  paper reviews literature on the desirable characteristics  of DSS, and then uses 78 interviews and five focus groups  to explore a case study of system use. The paper suggests  that without changes to how systems are developed,  particularly in how users are consulted, use of this  technology will continue to be low. Practical suggestions  are proposed to encourage more effective user-centred  design. Chief amongst these, the need for designers to  undertake a ‘decision support context assessment’ before  building and launching a product is highlighted. Better  knowledge of user-centred design practices, a clear  understanding of advice systems, and greater collaboration  with human-computer interaction researchers are also  required.},
      url = {http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/287292},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.287292},
}