Knowledge-based GDSS to support reciprocally interdependent decisions

Many organizational decisions require a consensus among a group of individuals representing different units or functions of an organization. The group members may disagree because they have incomplete information (uncertainty) and conflicting interests. The integration of tools and procedures for sharing of information (among individuals) in a Group Decision Support System (GDSS) can solve most of the disagreement caused by incomplete information and can set the stage for useful discussion and negotiation. The design of such a GDSS requires the establishment of a group decision making procedure which can assist in the negotiation and conflict resolution. This paper identifies the characteristics of a communication support facility that can enhance communication among group members based on the degree of their dependency. The role of a knowledge based approach to facilitate communication support when the group is reciprocally interdependent is illustrated using a financial budgeting example.