Identifying potential risks in the application of the expert system technology

This thesis examines the problem of identifying risks that may threaten the successful implementation of an automation application of the expert system technology. The thesis examines several issues related to risk identification when a new automation technology is being used. Because information systems researchers have only recently begun to use risk as a tool of analysis, the author draws on research results from students of risk assessment of other technologies. The bulk of the thesis is devoted to a description of a tool the author developed to assist managers in identifying risks that may exist for their expert system applications. The author also reports on the results of two studies done with the tool to determine its effectiveness in helping managers identify risks. In conclusion, the author discusses ideas for possible future research on this topic.