Overcoming Groupthink Bias with Groupware
Abstract
Four-person groups simulated a procurement decision implemented as a "hidden profile" problem. Some of the information relevant to the decision was provided to all members of the group, while other information was provided only to individual group members. A 2 x 2 factorial design was used to study group decision making quality. Groups either had individual preparation time before the meeting or they did not. In addition, groups either used an electronic voting tool to tally their votes or they did not. A separate control group was also used in which all members had all the information needed for a correct decision. The predicted interaction between computer-aiding and group task structure was confirmed. Groups that did not use computers and had individual preparation time before the group meeting usually failed to solve the problem correctly. Computer aiding (i.e. the electronic voting display) approached but did not reach statistical significance. The results point to a need to marry specific types of group support technology not just with specific group problem solving needs, but the specific task procedures tailored to the group context.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA333565
Entities
People
- Charles E. Kimble
- Edward S. Boyle
- Michael Wolfe
Organizations
- Armstrong Laboratory