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2.0 A Collaborative Decision Making
Generally decision making can be defined as a systematic process towards a result which can be referred to certain standards. Harris (1998) defined the decision making as a study to identify and evaluate alternatives based on values and priorities to be inline with the goal of the decision maker. Every decision has their own risks and decision maker is responsible to minimize it.

Ander (1998) defines collaborative as a borderless working environment. It was characterized by the ability to share information and discussions through computer networking connected to group members. However Tinzmann et al. (1990) wrote that collaborative means a fair two way communication and is open towards objectives with support by the facilitator. Basically collaborative group appreciates similarity, involvement from the group member, working together, knowledge and expert sharing within a borderless working environment. Members will have an active interaction along the process of decision making with some little assistance from facilitator.

Meanwhile Nutt (1989) described four methods of decision making i.e Heuristic, Systematic, Speculative and Judicial. Heuristic method is categorized as supporting qualitative approach. Systematic method is in opposite approach of heuristic method. It gives priority to quantitative approach with a great consideration to gain and loss factors. Speculative method uses logical approach to estimate priorities of the result. On the other hand judicial method is based on the requirement set by group members.

Decision making requires large amount of data. Latest and updated spatial data are not presented in a proper manner and thus fully utilized. GIS technology together with a comprehensive hardware and software has the capability to handle this kind of spatial data. Data can be manipulated and organized in a structured form to be used with other sources.

In GIS environment data are displayed in a layer and every layer represent a theme. Each theme will be represented graphically in computer digital form supported by descriptive information of entity and these groups of data are sometimes called spatial data. Non-spatial data or textual data are considered as general information or attributes.

Generally there are two types of data being used in GIS systems, namely raster and vector. Raster data are represented by pixel. The quality of raster data is determined by pixel size where smaller pixel give better resolution. Graphical analysis is done by manipulating the attribute of the pixel. Raster data requires higher disk space for storage and large memory to support processing. Vector data are represented by point, line and area (polygon) and it is also supported by descriptive information.

GIS system has the capability to perform spatial analysis in three main classifications namely locality, neighborhood and regional. In a locality classification, analysis will be focused to the entities of the object without any consideration to the relationship factors which is practiced in the neighborhood classification. In regional classification, object entity or the entity itself is being modified to suit with the regional phenomenon (Ruslan, 1991). Comprehensive analysis to entities can be done through four processes namely re-classification, overlay, proximity and neighborhood. Re-classification process allows displayed objects to be re-modified to suit with analysis requirements. In the overlay process, entities can be separated or merged. Distance between entity is calculated in the proximity analysis while to identify the surrounding entity within define distance, a neighborhood analysis can be carried out.

As mentioned earlier, SDSS is the integration between GIS and DSS systems. When this systems being used in conjunction with collaborative approach, it can be called a Collaborative Spatial Decision Support System (CSDSS). The role of map is not just to serve theme information but as interface between spatial and non-spatial databases. Therefore many issues pertaining to map could be organized and presented. With the existence of informationt communication technology (ICT), map information can be shared through electronic line from different administrative sites. This technology assists the process of visual thinking in a collaborative decision making.


Diagram 2.1 Generalised Model for decision making in approving proposed governmental public sector development plan.
The decision making procedures practiced by government department, agencies and local authorities in approving land developmental plan are quite similar. Diagram 2.1 intends to explain the generalized model of said decision making procedures. The process starts with developer submitting the proposal to land development agency. A technical committee is established to assist the local authority to evaluate the proposal. For example in the case of MPSP (The Seberang Perai Municipal Council), the similar approach is being practiced. MPSP Town Planning Division usually being appointed as a secretariat to the committee to coordinate activities pertaining to project approval.

Separate analysis can be carried out by group members at their own office premises utilizing source data provided by project proposer or from their own database. Digital data are usually in the form of textual, graphical or tabular which have been loaded to the proposed layout plan together with technical report which basically presented in analogue or hardcopy. Data can be categorized into three, namely coverage, area and site information. Additional data are sometimes required to support the analysis which can be gathered from other related agencies through secretariat.

After a comprehensive and thorough evaluation, group member should finally be able to select which decision is the best. If more than one objective to be evaluated, usually the secretariat will arrange them according to the most basic principle that is cost. Although the evaluation is done based on the specific approach utilizing their own professionalism and expertise, it is a common practice to apply SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat) concept to the selected decision. Early conclusion should be recorded into a written document and submitted to secretariat for the purpose of compilation, official record and references.

At this stage, the final decision is being decided collectively among group members in a round table discussion. Public protests together with analysis findings will be tabled and presented to Chairman or Secretary of the town council for approval. At this level all comments and proposal from related divisions will be discuss with consideration to technical aspects, sosio-economic, environmental and ecological impacts. In some cases the decision made at this level will be brought to the higher administrative level such as State Assembly or Ministry for further debate and approval.

In the decision making process, it sometimes happen that a very limited interaction between decision maker, proposer and secretariat occur due to limitation of time and distance apart. Thus accessibility to information becomes restricted due to the limited amount of data supplied by proposer. Due to these constraints and limitation, the decision maker may make their own approach based on their experiences and expertise. Decision makers are sometimes taking a simplest approach by just applying the existing standards and rules. Consequently this will worsen the situation as they will keep aside important parameters including impact and site analysis. There are also cases where the decision is being made based on political pressures.

Although the method used is having similarities but it does not meet the requirements set by the collaborative approach. Decision made is very subjective to the personal jurisdiction, paper works, bureaucracy and limited information.