Objective Metrics

This section and the results in the table address the question: What effects do GDSS have on group processes and outcomes? Our initial studies focused on differences between groups using the GDSS and groups employing more traditional modes of operation. Normatively we were interested in the question of whether there was any net improvement in decision outcomes such as quality, satisfaction, and commitment due to GDSSs. To address these questions we compared three conditions: (1) groups with no support which were given a task and left to their own deserts (Baseline groups), (2) groups with a manual version of the procedures built into the GDSS (Manual groups), and (3) groups with a GDSS (GDSS groups). The contrast of conditions 1 and 2 with condition 3 identified the effects due to computerization, while the contrast of condition 1 with conditions 2 and 3 identified the effects due to structured procedures, whether automated or not. This enabled us to sort out impacts due to procedures, which could be employed manually as well as with the GDSS, from impacts due to computerization.