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APPROACHES FOR MANAGEMENT AND DECISION SUPPORT IN THE SMART

CITY CONCEPT

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Journal of Information, Control and Management Systems, Vol. 19, (2021), No.1 21

APPROACHES FOR MANAGEMENT AND DECISION

SUPPORT IN THE SMART CITY CONCEPT
Milan KUBINA – Dominika ŠULYOVÁ

University of Žilina, Faculty of Management Science and Informatics,

Slovak Republic
e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Effective management and decision-making in Smart City concepts of cities

depends heavily on the quality of data, citizen involvement in projects,
management functions, decision-making processes and the use of technology
(UAV, Internet of Things or DSS systems). Based on a secondary analysis of
relevant data, the aim of this paper is to identify approaches for supporting
governance and decision making in Smart City concepts, including the
identification and summarization of benefits and limitations resulting from
implementation. The main benefits of effective management and decision making
include, in particular, improved quality of life, real-time data, transparency,
simplification of work or optimization of processes. Associated negatives are
mainly limited financial and time resources, lack of awareness, or hacker
attacks on sensitive data on the Internet. Through Smart DSS systems it is
possible to generate benefits and eliminate the shortcomings of current smart
city systems in general.
Keywords: unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), management, decision making, Smart
City, ICT

1 INTRODUCTION
The impact of IoT and UAV technology is reflected in the implementation of
"smart" solutions in urban agglomerations through new forms of infrastructures and
processes, efficient use of scarce resources, security monitoring through activity maps,
cooperation in service delivery and management - strategic management of the city.
The collected data facilitates management, decision making and capacity optimization
[4]. The implementation of the aforementioned dimensions will create a central focus
on achieving a common goal, generating new creative solutions, promoting
digitalization, collaboration, ease of use, positive user experience (user experience),
and securing the optimal form of funding [4].
22 Approaches for Management and Decision Support in the Smart City Concept

2 METHODOLOGY
Secondary literature analysis method was used within the paper. Relevant sources
were selected through keyword searches such as "data", "UAV", "governance", "smart
city", "decision making", "ICT in smart city", etc. In addition, the summarization
method was also used.

3 RESULTS

3.1 Tools and methods for management and decision support in Smart City
The basic inputs for management and decision support oriented methods are the
four types of data used in the Smart City concept, namely [2]:
▪ Sensors data - collected directly in the field (UAV).
▪ Location data - generated via mobile phones, network, radio-frequency or GPS
application.
▪ Social networks - mainly occurring in unstructured form (videos, images, etc.).
▪ Open data platforms - databases based on the principle of interoperability.
Depending on the type of data, it is possible to map the Smart City application
areas in which the different data sources are used (Table 1.).

Table 1 Structure of resources by application area

Source
Smart area
Sensors Location Network Platform
Parking Yes Yes No No
Monitoring Yes Yes No No
Transportation Yes Yes No No
Air Yes Yes Yes Yes
Waste Yes Yes No No
Energy Yes Yes Yes No
Crime No Yes Yes Yes
Source: own processing according to [2]

The Smart City management and decision support system, the Smart DSS,
operates on the principle of a data communication platform in conjunction with
knowledge databases, including AHPs, i.e. analytical processes arranged according to a
hierarchical structure. The set objectives are achieved through the values and
judgements of the system users, i.e. the stakeholders. The system allows problems to
be decomposed into smaller problems (sub-problems) that are easier to understand,
analyse and solve. Communication with the system is based on a client-server
architecture. The service part of the model contains tools for editing and organizing
databases. Users' powers are derived from their roles and privileges [1].
Journal of Information, Control and Management Systems, Vol. 19, (2021), No.1 21

The development of Smart DSS consistently follows the principle of systems

thinking in management. The hierarchy of the model includes three levels of
management. The strategic level contains the goal of the Smart concept, the lower
levels contain sub-criteria for decision making and sub-problem descriptions (at the
tactical and operational levels). The management and decision support system in Smart
Cities defines a structure that, based on collaboration between all stakeholders, creates
added value and an efficient way of running the city [1].
Better decision-making processes in Smart City approaches are not only ensured
by the management, but primarily by the inhabitants. Collecting and analysing data via
the internet, UAV, mobile devices and data portals can improve decision-making by 30
to 50%, according to a case study in Boston. It is true that by combining "smart"
citizens and city data, better decisions by the city's strategic leadership prevail. Hence,
the most important sensor is not smart devices, but people [3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10].

3.2 IS/ICT for management and decision support in Smart City

Smart City approaches are supported by IS/ICTs that can collect and process data
at the city, system, structure and network level. Connectivity is realized based on
sensors, actuators, internet and mobile applications. The flow of Big data mediates
information between public and private sectors, thus promoting informatization,
digitalization and competitiveness of stakeholders [5].
Smart city information systems generate opportunities based on the data collected
and processed into information that can be used to better understand the current
functioning of the local government and improve its future state [5].
Implemented technologies in Smart City approaches can improve the quality of
innovative applications and services. Data, databases and infrastructure form the core
IS and ICT base for smart cities. The operational level of technology impacts on
selected dimensions of the city (e.g. housing, resources, communication, etc.). The key
processes for effective IS/ICT and management interfacing are monitoring,
diagnostics, anomaly detection, elimination, automation of solutions and efficient use
of resources [5, 6, 7].
A Smart City infrastructure built on the basis of IS/ICT consists of an operational
layer of access to services from three stakeholders, i.e. service providers, citizens and
the council of adjacent municipalities.
The backbone network is based on Wi-Fi connections, or networks such as
Ethernet or 3G networks, which are already reaching 4G to 5G levels in the 21st
century. Data is generated through applications and web services, while being
distributed and stored in data centres in the form of local storage, external databases or
via the Cloud. Information about the Smart City operation is obtained through sensors
located in the field, which collect data and transmit it over the network to the top
management of the city for management and decision support [5, 8, 9].
22 Approaches for Management and Decision Support in the Smart City Concept

The software concept is represented through applications, the hardware elements

consist of sensors, controllers, actuators and transmitters. Data is collected by sensors,
processed by computing and communicated through the receiver or transmitter [5, 10].

4 BENEFITS AND LIMITATIONS OF IMPLEMENTING MANAGEMENT

AND DECISION SUPPORT APPROACHES IN THE SMART CITY
CONCEPT
In terms of the application of Smart City management theories, the following
benefits are derived for all stakeholders Smart City concept:
− simplification of work, fast feedback, real-time data collection,
− transformation of data into information,
− support for management and decision-making at all levels of the enterprise,
− lower personnel costs by downsizing employees,
− preventive maintenance and fault reporting,
− stabilisation of the adequate quality of the electricity network,
− min. deviations, precise regulation of heat, water and electricity, gas,
− efficient reporting,
− optimisation of the company's distribution processes, in particular the
activities of dispatching and distribution stations.
In addition to the positives, however, technology in practice and its use also
brings with it negative aspects, namely:
− lack of awareness,
− the need for a strong managerial personality who can motivate people to
change,
− traditional processes are replaced by new ones = frequent reluctance of
employees to change the habits in the working environment,
− hacker attacks on the system and its data,
− finances and time.

5 CONCLUSIONS

The greatest benefit of IS/ICT, Internet of Things (IoT) and unmanned aerial
vehicle (UAV) in the Smart City area is the improvement of quality of life by
supporting decision-making and management processes through the so-called Smart
DSS. Based on data platforms, valuable data is collected from citizens to support
management and decision making. The resulting projects are tailored to customers,
generating centric governance models. If a city sets the right vision, which it translates
Journal of Information, Control and Management Systems, Vol. 19, (2021), No.1 21

into strategy and goals, implements projects through a transformative process, gets
feedback from citizens, and continuously improves its processes, it becomes an
implementation model for others on how to create, sustain, stabilize, and grow Smart
City development, growth, and competitive advantage in a global sense.

Acknowledgement: This publication was realized with support of Operational

Program Integrated Infrastructure 2014 - 2020 of the project: Intelligent operating and
processing systems for UAVs, code ITMS 313011V422, co-financed by the European
Regional Development Fund.

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