Suppressing the contribution of the group´s best member: is GDSS use appropriate for all group tasks?

A major paradigm of group decision-making research is the study of the differences between individual and group decision making. In particular, this research has focused on the decision quality of groups versus the decision quality of individuals within the group. The question that is usually examined is whether the group makes better or worse decisions than could be made by the average individual or the most competent individual in the group. The advent of computer-based systems to support group decision-making has added a new dynamic to this question. The following question is asked: does a GDSS (group decision support system) effectively support the most proficient group member or does the use of GDSS, by encouraging more equitable participation and anonymity, suppress or enhance the most capable member´s contribution? Two experimental studies using two different GDSSs, but using the same type of group tasks were conducted to determine the impact of use of a GDSS on individual versus group decision making, in particular the impact on the most competent member in the group. Results indicate that use of a GDSS does suppress the contribution of the best group member