Group DSS and decision outcome measures: a comparative study in distributed versus non-distributed settings

Abstract

The recent advancements in the communication and computer technologies, combined with the proliferation of powerful and inexpensive computers, are generating strong interests in the application of group decision support systems (GDSS) on group decision-making and problem solving activities. This thesis is an experimental study on the relative effectiveness and efficiency of one such system, Co-oP, in distributed versus non-distributed decision-making settings. The decision task performance variables tested were the decision outcome measures of decision quality, decision speed, and satisfaction with the results. The analysis of the data indicate that better decision quality and decision speed were achieved in the distributed mode. No difference in satisfaction levels between the two groups were significant.