Decision support versus knowledge creation support

After introductory remarks on interactive computerized decision support and the concept of supporting creativity, this chapter briefly describes the history and the current status of decision support, the differences and similarities between decision support and creativity support, and how the conclusions from earlier chapters can be applied to the problem: upon what objects shall we concentrate creativity support. Then we turn to a more detailed meaning of the concept of "Creative Environment". While the concept of "Ba", as proposed by Nonaka, can be understood as a place and space in which knowledge is shared, created and used, including "physical space", "virtual space", and "mental space", the "Creative Environment" should include not only all aspects of "Ba" - "physical, virtual, mental" - but also "informational, social and psychological aspects; above all, however, the "Creative Environment" can be understood as a computerized system for enhancing creativity. This chapter concludes with a discussion of existing and needed "Creative Environments" and, in particular, describes needed work on constructing such environments for "Web knowledge acquisition, Debating, Experiment design and support, Virtual laboratories, Road-mapping, Brainstorming, Gaming, and Distance learning and teaching". The chapter ends with concluding comments.