Title page for ETD etd-4698-01644

Type of Document

Master's Thesis

Author

Cano, Arnoldo Rafael

Author's Email Address

acano@vt.edu

URN

etd-4698-01644

Title

Effects of Technological Support on Decision Making performance of Distributed Groups

Degree

Master of Science

Department

Industrial and Systems Engineering

Advisory Committee

Advisor Name	Title
Kleiner, Brian M.	Committee Chair
Barfield, Woodrow S.	Committee Member
Williges, Robert C.	Committee Member

Keywords

macroergonomics
distributed groups
desktop videoconferencing
group communication support systems
group decision support systems

Date of Defense

1997-12-12

Availability

unrestricted

Abstract

This research was concerned with the collection of empirical data necessary to estimate the effects of
decision support tools on the performance of distributed groups. Data was collected in a controlled
experimental environment that simulated a geographically-dispersed meeting through the use of
videoconferencing and group communication support (GCSS) technology. Results of the use of a Group
Decision Support System (GDSS) on group process and outcome variables were mixed. As predicted by
the literature the use of a GDSS by distributed groups improved overall group consensus, decision
accuracy, and decision effectiveness. The use of a GDSS also increased perceived process structure.
Contrary to previous studies, the use of a GDSS increased decision time, and decreased overall
satisfaction with the group process. No significant effects were found for perceived consensus,
cooperation, amount of information exchange, or confidence in the decision.
A strong correlation was found between decision quality and decision time. An even stronger correlation
was found between perceived structure of the process and satisfaction with the process. The lack of
feedback about the process and its outcomes could explain the lack of a GDSS effect on perceptions of
consensus, cooperation, and confidence in the decision. Perception of subjective measures of the process
may depend on the presence of the appropriate types of feedback. The results suggest that an increase in
structure without a perceived improvement in decision quality (confidence in the decision) tends to
reduce group satisfaction.
A richer taxonomy for Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) systems is proposed whereby
three orthogonal dimensions of group support are defined. These three dimensions of group support are:
Communication support, decision support, and presence support. This new taxonomy suggests a number of
research directions aimed at the empirical identification of contextual and design factors relevant to
distributed group performance and decision making performance in general.

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	Appendix1.pdf	122.26 Kb	00:00:33	00:00:17	00:00:15	00:00:07	< 00:00:01
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