Why groups are not always the same-an assessment of twelve briefs in GDSS

Abstract

The authors take a critical look at several beliefs about group behaviors in computer supported cooperative work (CSCW) research. They point out that the idea of small, cohesive business teams is not necessarily a valid starting point in thinking about all group support. In particular, they critically evaluate beliefs that relate to user aspects, group features such as composition, structure, and protocols, and task characteristics such as nature, importance, and goals in meetings. As a consequence, if these features are not present in all meetings, computer support cannot be designed in ways envisaged in the current research. As a conclusion, the authors outline some research questions, both of empirical and constructive nature, that need to be addressed if group decision support systems (GDSS) research wants to address issues of computer support in groups that are not similar to 'business teams'. >