THE EFFECTS OF VARIATIONS IN GDSS CAPABILITIES ON DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES IN GROUPS

Group Decision Support Systems (GDSSs) provide mechanism for reducing equivocality and facilitating consensus on interpretations by decision-making groups. Whereas much previous research compares groups with GDSS support to nonsupported groups, less research has been conducted which varies the type of support provided in a GDSS. This study addresses two questions: What are the impacts of variations in the level of sophistication of a GDSS on group decision-making processes? What is the significance of these process impacts on group outcomes? Two different GDSS designs that delivered varying levels of decision-making support were employed in the study. The conceptual model identifies six specific process impacts. The results indicate that variations in GDSS capabilities have an impact on elements of the group decision-making process, such as the ability to develop procedural insight or ideational connection and use formal evaluation. Further the process impacts were found to be significantly related to the group outcomes. The ideas presented in the article are expected to offer a foundation for developing finer-grained theories of GDSS effects on group decision making.