Evolutionary Trends in Decision Sciences Education Research from Simulation and Games to Big Data Analytics and Generative Artificial Intelligence

Decision sciences (DSC) involves studying complex dynamic systems and processes to aid informed choices subject to constraints in uncertain conditions. It integrates multidisciplinary methods and strategies to evaluate decision engineering processes, identifying alternatives and providing insights toward enhancing prudent decision-making. This study analyzes the evolutionary trends and innovation in DSC education and research trends over the past 25 years. Using metadata from bibliographic records and employing the science mapping method and text analytics, we map and evaluate the thematic, intellectual, and social structures of DSC research. The results identify "knowledge management," "decision support systems," "data envelopment analysis," "simulation," and "artificial intelligence" (AI) as some of the prominent critical skills and knowledge requirements for problem-solving in DSC before and during the period (2000-2024). However, these technologies are evolving significantly in the recent wave of digital transformation, with data analytics frameworks (including techniques such as big data analytics, machine learning, business intelligence, data mining, and information visualization) becoming crucial. DSC education and research continue to mirror the development in practice, with sustainable education through virtual/online learning becoming prominent. Innovative pedagogical approaches/strategies also include computer simulation and games ("play and learn" or "role-playing"). The current era witnesses AI adoption in different forms as conversational Chatbot agent and generative AI (GenAI), such as chat generative pretrained transformer in teaching, learning, and scholarly activities amidst challenges (academic integrity, plagiarism, intellectual property violations, and other ethical and legal issues). Future DSC education must innovatively integrate GenAI into DSC education and address the resulting challenges.