The development of GDSS to support group decision making through the improvement of the participation of Thai graduate students

This research discusses the development of Group Decision Support System (GDSS) software with updated functionalities that may enhance group interaction in a face-to-face brainstorming mode. Some of the functionalities include multi-language simultaneous input capabilities, including Thai, and the utilization of generic keyboard connections via USB. The developed software aims to facilitate, enhance and improve the level and efficiency of participatory learning of mixed groups of Thai and foreign students. This enhanced GDSS may also be used in a business group decision-making environment. Furthermore, to overcome the shy nature of Thai people, the option of a non-identification of participant features is integrated into this GDSS. A pilot study has been conducted to exchange ideas, comments or solutions regarding assigned topics in an actual classroom setting / brainstorming session in order to investigate the learning effectiveness and the overall users´ satisfaction with the software support. The enhanced software makes the designed GDSS more generic and suitable for not only graduate classroom environments but also for most types of group decision support approaches, such as consensus business decision making, strategic goal planning in particular with regards to multicultural and multilingual environments. The research outcomes may also lead to identifying preferred features required of a GDSS facilitator in the future.