Group decision support systems

An exciting new concept is emerging in the area of decision support. This involves the development of computer-based systems for use by groups of people who are jointly responsible for making decisions. Known as "Group Decision Support Systems" (GDSS) they can be useful to committees, review panels, executive board meetings, task forces, and groups of managers who work together on either a regular or one-time basis. The precise design of a GDSS will vary depending on the proximity of group members to one another and the duration of the decision-making session. This paper presents an overview of the GDSS concept and explores issues related to the design, implementation, and study of these systems.