An empirical experiment evaluation the effectiveness of group decision support systems (GDSS)

Abstract

An increasing reliance on group decision making and advances in computer technology have combined to spur research in an area of decision support known as group decision support systems (GDSS). Proponents of GDSS claim its unique features enable groups to make decisions faster, better and with greater confidence and satisfaction than non-GDSS groups. This study is an empirical experiment evaluating the operational effectiveness of a GDSS. A complex scenario covertly resembling the Cuban missile crisis was passed out to seven groups of four graduate students. Four groups were instructed to recommend a solution to the crisis scenario with the aid of a GDSS. The other three groups were instructed to do the the same, but without computer aided support. The analysis of the data indicated that there was not an appreciable difference in decision quality, speed, or satisfaction between the GDSS groups and the non-GDSS groups. Keywords: Theses: Management information systems. (KR)