1. 1 CHAPTER 7 Collaborative Computing Technologies: Group Support Systems

2. 2 Collaborative Computing Technologies: Group Support Systems People  Perform groupwork  Need to collaborate  Need to communicate Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

3. 3 Opening Vignette: Chrysler SCORES with Groupware  Chrysler used groupware to enhance collaboration and communication with suppliers  Identify waste in the Value Chain  Eliminate the waste Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

4. 4 Solution  Lotus Notes Application  Extended Enterprise System  Incentives for suppliers to contribute  Vendor relationship system  Provides a competitive advantage Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

5. 5 SCORE Benefits  Enhanced relationships with suppliers  Better-quality purchasing practices  Better quality product  Lower costs (in 2000: $2 billion) Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

6. 6 Groupwork Characteristics  Group performs a task  Different places  Different times  Same or different organizations  Permanent or temporary Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

7. 7 More Characteristics  Span managerial levels  Synergy or conflict  Productivity gains / losses  Quick response may be required  Hard to meet in one place  Multiple sources of knowledge  External expertise Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

8. 8 Anytime / Anyplace Collaboration  Enabled by Web  Low cost PCs Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

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10. 10 Meetings  Joint activity  Equal or near equal status  Outcome depends on participant’s knowledge, etc.  Outcome depends on group composition  Outcome depends on decision-making process  Disagreement settled by rank or negotiation Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

11. 11 Groupware  To support groupwork / meetings …  Computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW)  Software that provides collaborative support to groups Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

12. 12 Communication Support  Vital  Needed for collaboration  Modern information technologies provide inexpensive, fast, capable, reliable means of supporting communication  Internet / Web Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

13. 13 Supporting Communication  Word of mouth  Delivery persons  Horseback  Snailmail  Telegraph  Telephone  Radio  Television  Videoconferencing  Internet / Web

14. 14 Nonverbal Communication  Important issue  Not captured by most communication systems Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

15. 15 Supporting Collaboration (CSCW)  People work together  Group Support Systems (GSS)  Groupware:  Electronic meeting systems  Electronic conferencing systems Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

16. 16 A Time/Place Framework Same Time / Same Place Decision Room Same Time / Different Place Video Conference Different Time / Same Place via Internet Different Time / Different Place Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

17. 17 Groupware  Lotus Notes / Domino Server Includes Learning Space  Netscape Collabra Server  Microsoft NetMeeting  Novell Groupwise  GroupSystems  TCBWorks  WebEx Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

18. 18 Group Support Systems  Goal: to support groupwork  Increase benefits / decrease losses of collaboration  Based on  Nominal Group Technique  Delphi Method  Electronic Meeting System (EMS) Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

19. 19 Important Features  Parallelism  Anonymity  Lead to process gains and task gains Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

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21. 21 GSS Process Gains  Parallel information processing / flow  Larger groups can participate  Rapid computer discussions  Quiet people can participate equally  Noisy people can’t strongly drive meeting  Saves travel time (millions $ / year) Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

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23. 23 GSS Process Losses  Free-riding  Flaming Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

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25. 25 GSS Technologies  Decision room  Multiple use facility  Web-based Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

26. 26 The Decision (Electronic Meeting) Room  12 to 30 networked personal computers  Usually recessed  Server PC  Large-screen projection system  Breakout rooms  Need a Trained Facilitator for Success Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

27. 27 Cool Rooms Source: Groupsystem.com, Tuscon, AZ, www.groupsystems.com US Air Force

28. 28 Cool Rooms IBM Corp. Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ Source: Groupsystem.com, Tuscon, AZ, www.groupsystems.com

29. 29 Cool Rooms Murraysville School District Bus Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ Source: Groupsystem.com, Tuscon, AZ, www.groupsystems.com

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32. 32 Few Organizations Use Decision Rooms  High Cost  Need for a Trained Facilitator  Software Support for Cooperative Tasks, NOT Conflict Issues  Infrequent Use  Different Place / Different Time Needs  May Need More Than One Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

33. 33 Other Technologies  Multiple Use Facility  Cheaper  Still need a facilitator  Web-based  Cheaper: no extra hardware needed  Still need facilitator Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

34. 34 GroupSystems  From Groupsystems.com, Tucson, AZ  Comprehensive groupware  Windows & Web versions  Leading software Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

35. 35 GroupSystems Activities  Agenda  Electronic Brainstorming  Group Outliner  Topic Commenter  Categorizer  Vote Others Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

36. 36 GSS Meeting Process  Idea generation  Idea organization  Prioritizing  Idea generation Iterate until solution is reached Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

37. 37 Why GSS?  Successful  Need  Organizational commitment  Executive sponsor  Operating sponsor  User-seductive interface  Dedicated well-trained facilitator  Good planning Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

38. 38 Distance Learning (DL)  Nontraditional classroom  CSCW / GSS / Groupware  Requires technology  Not new  Effective  Growing fast  Corporate, too Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

39. 39 DL Advantages  Just as effective or more  Flexible time  Student can keep job  Student can travel in job  Access anywhere / anytime  Can present new technology cheaply  Can focus on specific skills  Can cost less  Expand classroom size easily

40. 40 More DL Advantages  Add breadth and depth to course  More one-on-one interaction with instructor (e-mail)  Student/faculty contact time increases  For continuous learners  Attendance is flexible (Careful!)  Discussion technologies  Student attitudes evolve and improve  Impacts (scores) are higher Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

41. 41 DL Disadvantages  Fewer social interactions  Less or no on-campus interaction  Communications problems  Students MUST be highly motivated  Students MUST be highly disciplined  Students MUST have effective time management skills  Students MUST be extremely dedicated Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

42. 42 More DL Disadvantages  Takes more faculty and staff time  Learner must be more responsible  Students MUST work hard!  Others … Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

43. 43 Distance Learning Courseware  Lotus Notes  Microsoft NetMeeting  Novell GroupWise  Learning Space (Lotus Notes)  WebCT  LearnLinc Virtual Classroom Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

44. 44 Creativity and Idea Generation  Creativity: Generally a human trait  Creativity and innovation Can create tremendous impacts in organizations Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

45. 45 Idea Generation  Electronic Brainstorming  Can be simulated  Can adjust methods  Create more ideas (information overload)  Cognitive maps - useful Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

46. 46 Creativity Software that exhibits creativity  Intelligent agents (softbots)  Copycat (creates analogies)  AARON (creates painted art)  Genjam (writes jazz music)  Kurzweil’s Cybernetic Poet (writes poems) Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

47. 47 Creativity Software Alternatives  CoBrain Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

48. 48 Software that Facilitates Human Creativity  Project KickStart  ThoughtPath  Creative WhackPack  IdeaFisher Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

49. 49 GSS and Collaborative Computing Issues and Research  GSS/EMS methods  Web groupware  Distance learning  Virtual organization Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems, Efraim Turban and Jay E. Aronson, 6th edition. Copyright 2001, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

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52. 52 DeSanctis & Gallupe, 1987 Framework Dennis, et al, 1988 Framework Pinsonneault and Kraemer, 1989 Framework Nunamaker et al, 1991 Framework Fjermestad 1998 Framework GSS Frameworks

53. 53 DeSanctis, G. and Gallupe, R. B., (1987), “A Foundation for the Study of Group Decision Support Systems,” Management Science, 33, 3, 589-609

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62. 62 GSS Technologies

63. 63  Organizational commitment  Executive Sponsor  Operating sponsor  Dedicated facility  Site visits  Liaisons  Responsiveness- Use prototyping  Training  Cost-benefit analysis  Software flexibility  Managing Expectations GSS Success Factors (Implementation)