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Unit 10: Enhancing Decision Making for the Digital Firm

10.4.1 GDSS Characteristics and Software Tools Notes

Figure 10.5

Persware

Hardware Software

In GDSS the hardware includes more than just computers and peripheral equipment. It also
includes the conference facilities, audiovisual equipment, and networking equipment that connect
everyone. The persware extends to the meeting facilitators and the staff that keeps the hardware
operating correctly. As the hardware becomes more sophisticated and widely available, many
companies are bypassing specially equipped rooms in favor of having the group participants
“attend” the meeting through their individual desktop computers.
Many of the software tools and programs discussed, Groupware, can also be used to support
GDSS. Some of these software tools are being reworked to allow people to attend meetings
through Intranets or Extranets. Some highlights:

 Electronic Questionnaires: Set an agenda and plan ahead for the meeting.
 Electronic Brainstorming: Allows all users to participate without fear of reprisal or criticism.
 Questionnaire Tools: Gather information even before the meeting begins, so facts and
information are readily available.
 Stakeholder Identification: Determines the impact of the group’s decision.
 Group Dictionaries: Reduce the problem of different interpretations.
Now instead of wasting time in meetings, people will know ahead of time what is on the
agenda. All of the information generated during the meeting is maintained for future use and
reference. Because input is anonymous, ideas are evaluated on their own merit. And for
geographically separated attendees, travel time and dollars are saved. Electronic meeting systems
make these efficiencies possible. The following figure shows the sequence of activities at a
typical EMS meeting.
All is not perfect with EMS, however. Face-to-face communications is critical for managers and
others to gain insight into how people feel about ideas and topics. Body language can often
speak louder than words.

Notes Some people still may not contribute freely because they know that all input is
stored on the file server, even though it is anonymous. And the system itself imposes
disciplines on the group that members may not like.

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