Turban, Aronson, and Liang

Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems,

Seventh Edition
Learning Objectives
Understand concepts and fundamentals of groupwork,
Chapter 7
communications, and collaboration.
Examine how computer systems enhance communication
Collaborative Computing
and collaboration.
Understand the principles and capabilities of GSS.
Technologies: Group Support Explore the concepts of time/place frameworks.

Systems
Learn how GSS interplays with the concepts of process gain
and loss, and task gain and loss.
See how GSS utilizes parallelism and anonymity.
Understand the fundamentals of electronic meetings.
Examine GSS three technologies.
Learn how the Web enables GSS, electronic meetings, and
collaborative computing.
Explain hoe distance learning is enabled by GSS.
Show how GSS enhances creativity.

2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, 7-1 2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, 7-2
Turban, Aronson, and Liang Turban, Aronson, and Liang

Chrysler Scores with Groupware

Vignette
Groupwork

Groupwork
SCORE initiative Collaboration and communication
Identified waste in supply chain Members can be located in different places and
work at different times
Enhanced relationships Information may be located external to the project
Allows for rapid solutions
Accessed through Internet or modem May exhibit normal team problems of synergy or
Enhanced communication and conflict
Often Internet based
collaboration Groupware tools support groupwork
Used good project management Work called computer-supported cooperative work
Collaborative computing
principles
2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, 7-3 2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, 7-4
Turban, Aronson, and Liang Turban, Aronson, and Liang
 Time/Place Communication
Communication Support Framework

No collaboration without Effectiveness of

collaborative
communication group depends
Internet supplies fast, reliable, on
inexpensive support Time
synchronous or
Groups need not only communication, asynchronous
transmission of
but information and knowledge information
Place
location of
participants

2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, 7-5 2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, 7-6
Turban, Aronson, and Liang Turban, Aronson, and Liang

Groupware Popular Groupware

Software providing collaborative support to groups
Different time/place applications Lotus Notes/Domino
Most use Internet technologies
Most offer one or more capabilities
Microsoft Netmeeting
Electronic brainstorming
Free flow of ideas and comments Groove Workspace
Electronic conferencing or videoconferencing
Group scheduling and calendars GroupSystems MeetingRoom and
Conflict resolution
Model building OnLine
Electronic document sharing
Voting services WebEx
Electronic meeting services also available
Enterprise-wide systems expensive in cost and human
resources

2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, 7-7 2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, 7-8
Turban, Aronson, and Liang Turban, Aronson, and Liang
 Benefits and Problems GSS

Benefits of groupwork Common group activities with computer

Process gains assistance
Nominal group technique Information retrieval
Delphi method Information sharing
Technology applied as GSS Parallelism
Anonymity
Hardware and software combined to enhance
groupwork Information use
Collaborative computing Support participants
Problems in groupwork Improve productivity and effectiveness of
meetings
Process losses More efficient decision-making
inefficient Increase effectiveness of decisions

2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, 7-9 2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, 7-10
Turban, Aronson, and Liang Turban, Aronson, and Liang

GSS Technology Deployment

Special purpose decision room
Electronic meeting rooms
Software operates across LAN
Allowed for face-to-face meetings
Trained facilitator coordinates meeting
Group leader structures meeting with facilitator
Multiple use facility
General purpose computer lab
Effective way to lower costs
Trained facilitator coordinates meeting
Group leader structures meeting with facilitator
Web-based groupware with clients
Anytime/anyplace meetings with deadlines established
Software bought or leased
No facility costs
Flexible

2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, 7-11 2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, 7-12
Turban, Aronson, and Liang Turban, Aronson, and Liang
 GSS Meeting Process GSS Meeting Process
Group leader meets with facilitator to plan meeting structure.
Participants meet on computers.
Standard Process
Group leader or facilitator poses question. Exploratory idea generation
Participants brainstorm by entering comments into computer.
Facilitator employs idea organization software to sort Idea organization tool
comments into common themes. Prioritization
Results are displayed.
Facilitator or group leader leads discussion. New idea generation
Themes are prioritized.
Highest priority topics are either sent through the process
Selection of final idea
again for further discussion or a vote is taken. Success based upon effectiveness,
reduction in costs, better decisions,
increased productivity
2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, 7-13 2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, 7-14
Turban, Aronson, and Liang Turban, Aronson, and Liang

GSS and Distance Education,

GSS and Distance Education continued
Classroom collaborative computing advantages Disadvantages:
Brainstorming, chat, discussion boards Fewer social interactions
Distribution of information, lectures Communication problems
Publishes to course site Students must be self-starters and highly disciplined
Videoconferenced Classes require major technical and administrative support
Consistent materials Technical infrastructure must be reliable
Courses may need to be redesigned for online
Textbooks can be bound or electronic
Special training
E-mails and listservs
Corporate training online:
One-on-one interaction
Allows anytime/anyplace training
Allows for global classrooms Lowers costs
Anytime/anyplace with fixed deadlines Decreases time away from jobs
Flexible time frame Shortens learning process
Doesnt interfere with work shift Delivered via Intranet, intranets, extranets, audio and video
Low delivery costs with large audiences conferencing

2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, 7-15 2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, 7-16
Turban, Aronson, and Liang Turban, Aronson, and Liang
 Creativity Support System

Creativity
Fundamental human trait
Level of achievement
Can be learned
Organizations recognize value in innovation
Stimulated by electronic brainstorming software
Free flow idea generation
Creative computer programs
Smartbots function as facilitators
Identify analogies in letter patterns
Draw art
Write poems
Computer programs stimulate human productivity

2005 Prentice Hall, Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, 7th Edition, 7-17
Turban, Aronson, and Liang