The Impact of Decision Support Systems on the Effectiveness of Small Group Decisions -revisited

This paper presents the results of an empirical investigation of the impact of Decision Support Systems on small group decision effectiveness. The study is conducted in the context of the Business Management Laboratory. Two production function modules from Wolfe’s Business Management Laboratory Decision Support System (BMLDSS) were utilized to aid decision making by all treatment groups. Results indicate the use of these modules improved decisionmaking performance in the second year of play as measured by manufacturing costs and Earnings/CGS. Debriefing indicated that two control groups developed informal DSS outside of the laboratory setting. Reanalysis of the performance data with this fact in mind indicated treatment groups’ performance was superior to control groups’ only for Earnings/CGS in the second year. The results of a questionnaire administration dealing with the subjects’ feelings about the DSS are also discussed.