A decision support system for face-to-face groups

Several recent trends have converged to make the concept of Group Decision Support Systems (GDSS) important at this time. This paper describes the design, development, and testing of one GDSS tool as an initial step toward building a compre hensive system. A network of microcomputers was used to implement this tool, then the author studied its use by a large number of groups in a controlled laboratory setting. The GDSS proved to have some beneficial impacts on the group process as well as on the final product (decision) for the groups using the computers, as compared to groups using a booklet, or groups with no help. Suggestions for future experimental inves tigations are offered, as well as potential techniques for impro ving and expanding the GDSS.

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