UNDERSTANDING GDSS IN SYMBOLIC CONTEXT: SHIFTING THE FOCUS FROM TECHNOLOGY TO INTERACTION.

Author List: Gopal, Abhijit; Prasad, Pushkala;
MIS Quarterly, 2000, Volume 24, Issue 3, Page 509-546.
GDSS has enjoyed about a decade and a half of vigorous research activity. Throughout this time, a problem that has occupied the research community is the inconsistent research results that have been obtained. The purpose of this paper is to assess whether the reason for these inconsistencies is rooted in the epistemological mode that has prevailed and to offer an alternative epistemological lens that might help advance our understanding of GDSS use and research. Using qualitative research methods and a symbolic interactionist theoretical basis, this paper examines how a particular group used a GDSS over two meetings. The findings indicate that GDSS use may result in reactions from its users that are difficult to capture using conventional methodological assumptions, thereby helping explain why past results have not been consistent. Based on these findings, a shift in focus is advocated from an emphasis on the technology to an emphasis on human interaction, one that embraces the reasons underlying past inconsistencies rather than attempting to overcome them.
Keywords: Group decision support systems; qualitative research; symbolic interaction
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#222 0.224 research researchers framework future information systems important present agenda identify areas provide understanding contributions using literature studies paper potential review
#257 0.167 group support groups meeting gdss decision systems meetings technology study electronic ems task process communication computer-supported outcomes quality consensus face-to-face
#108 0.162 model research data results study using theoretical influence findings theory support implications test collected tested based empirical empirically context paper
#259 0.127 identity norms identification symbolic community help sense european social important verification set identities form obtained properties deterioration mixed match emphasis
#193 0.112 time use size second appears form larger benefits combined studies reasons selected underlying appear various significantly result include make attention
#289 0.098 qualitative methods quantitative approaches approach selection analysis criteria used mixed methodological aspects recent selecting combining known conclusions included article appropriateness