Relation between GDSS use and group task complexity: an experimental study

A laboratory experiment was conducted to explore the influence of GDSS (group decision support systems) on decision quality, decision time, and user satisfaction under different levels of group-task complexity. Forty-eight groups each consisting of three members were assigned to four experimental treatments that differed in setting (non-GDSS or GDSS) and in group decision task complexity (low complexity or high). The findings indicate that, compared to working in a non-GDSS setting, the particular GDSS setting used (i) was more effective in solving complex problems, (ii) required more time for a low-complexity task but not for a high-complexity task, and (iii) resulted in lower satisfaction for a low-complexity task but a higher satisfaction for a high-complexity task. These findings help identify what type of group problems are better suited for GDSS use