The functions and roles of DSS in group decision-making

Abstract

Six types of group DSS architectures were discussed in this chapter. They differ in the way decision makers interact with each other via the DSS. This typology in turn helped differentiate the roles and functions of individual DSS and group DSS. The fundamental difference seems to originate from the fact that individual DSS provide personalized tools to support individual decision-making, whereas group DSS seek ‘universal’ norms to help search for common ground or better yet, collective consensus.

In addition, the types of group decision activities, as well as the nature of mediation support, advocated particular attention to the design of group DSS that help group members follow through various decision processes. The latter could be viewed as the vertebral column that intertwines a variety of content-oriented decision models along the entire collective decision-making process.