GDSS – Group Decision Support System

According to the lecture on Monday, I want to find out the different types and advantages and disadvantages of a Group Decision Support System.

A Group Decision Support System (GDSS) can be defined as a computer-based system that supports groups of people engaged in a common task and that provides an interface to a shared environment

There are four different types of GDS-Systems:

1. Decision Room
   This is a physical room which can be provided to a small group from 3 up to around 24 people for a face-to-face meeting.
   

2. Local Area Decision Network
   This type can be used for a small group whose members are dispersed in a limited geographical area.
   

3. Legislative Session
   A Legislative Session room is used for a face-to-face meeting when the group is too large for a decision room.
   

4. Computer-Mediated Conference
   Using a Computer-Mediated Conference the time and the place of the meeting are different.
   

Advantages of a GDSS:

• Anonymity: The ability to exchange ideas or preferences anonymously in a GDSS environment promotes increased participation by group members and consequently more information is shared.
• Parallel Communication. a GDSS allows everyone to "speak" and “think” in parallel
• Automated Record Keeping. A GDSS automatically records comments, votes, and other information shared by a group onto a disk file.
• More Structure. A GDSS may provide more structure and focus to a meeting by minimal non-task or social interaction.
• Other Benefits. Because of anonymity, parallel communication, and automated record keeping, groups have experienced greater satisfaction with meetings and greater productivity by decreasing total meeting time and making better decisions.

Disadvantages of a GDSS:

• Slow Communication. Most people type slower than they speak, and in some cases, group participants may be unable to type at all.
• Resistance to Change. Human do not like changes so people are sometimes intimidated by computers and feel threatened if forced to use them in a new meeting environment.
• Lack of Media Richness. A GDSS meeting relies primarily on written information. For example body language and facial expressions are lost.
• Possible Increase in Conflict. Due to anonymity there could be an increase in conflict
• Possible Loss of Some Key Participants. Some people who normally dominate a verbal meeting may tend to "drop out" of electronic meetings because they are unable to use their strong verbal skills, although shyer people may participate more.
• Misuse of the Technology. One person may simulate multiple participants.
• Costs. A GDSS may not be cost efficient unless it gains acceptance and is used regularly and properly.

This post is based on the article “Group decision support systems” by Aiken et al: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb6451/is_n3_v16/ai_n28660020/