Facilitation, GSS, and Training as Sources of Process Restrictiveness and Guidance for Structured Group Decision Making: An Empirical Assessment.

Author List: Wheeler, Bradley C.; Valacich, Joseph S.;
Information Systems Research, 1996, Volume 7, Issue 4, Page 429-450.
Structured decision techniques have been a mainstay of prescriptive decision theory for decades. Group Support Systems (GSSs) automate many of the features found in decision techniques, yet groups often choose to ignore both the technique and the technology in favor of more familiar decision processes. This research empirically tests propositions and hypotheses for a specific instantiation of Adaptive Structuration Theory. A controlled laboratory experiment tests the ability of three appropriation mediators (e.g., facilitation, GSS configuration, and training) to directively affect group decision making through guidance and restrictiveness. The experiment used a hidden-profile task and structured decision technique which directed group members to reach a decision by identifying the problem, choosing criteria, and selecting a solution. The results supported the proposition that appropriation mediators can increase the faithful use of structured decision techniques and that faithful use can improve decision quality.
Keywords: Facilitation; Group Decision Making; Group Decision Support Systems; Restrictiveness; Structuration Theory
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#113 0.174 support decision dss systems guidance process making environments decisional users features capabilities provide decision-making user paper findings systems.decision components computer-based
#177 0.163 decision accuracy aid aids prediction experiment effects accurate support making preferences interaction judgment hybrid perceptual strategy account context restrictiveness taking
#60 0.141 analysis techniques structured categories protocol used evolution support methods protocols verbal improve object-oriented difficulties analyses category benchmark comparison provided recognition
#18 0.128 adaptive theory structuration appropriation structures technology use theoretical ast capture believe consensus technologies offices context based initial advanced exploring findings
#233 0.110 group gss support groups systems brainstorming research process electronic members results paper effects individual ebs using used anonymity ideas discussion
#296 0.106 collaboration support collaborative facilitation gss process processes technology group organizations engineering groupware facilitators use work tool address practitioners focused develop
#8 0.059 decision making decisions decision-making makers use quality improve performance managers process better results time managerial task significantly help indicate maker