The effect of group size on group performance in computer-supported decision making

• Published in: Information & management Vol. 26; no. 4; pp. 189 - 198
• Main Authors: Hwang, Hsin-Ginn, Guynes, Jan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.04.1994; Elsevier Science; Elsevier Sequoia S.A
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Decision making; Decision support systems; Effectiveness; Efficiency; Electronic brainstorming; Electronic meeting systems; EMS; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; GDSS; Group decision making; Group decision support systems; Group dynamics; Group size; Occupational psychology; Organization and management. Professional relation; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Studies; Group decision making; Group decision support systems; Electronic brainstorming; Electronic meeting systems; Group size; EMS; GDSS; Human; Social decision; Professional performance; Decision support system; Decision making; Team work; Adult; Computer aid; Computer mediated communication
• ISSN: 0378-7206; 1872-7530
• DOI: 10.1016/0378-7206(94)90092-2

This experimental study investigates the effects of computer- supported systems in groups of nine persons and the effects of group size (three versus nine persons) in the computer- supported environment. A two-by-two completely randomized factorial design was employed, and 192 subjects participated in this study. Group efficiency is assessed by decision time and the number of alternatives generated by group members. Group effectiveness is measured by satisfaction with the decision making processes, decision satisfaction, and decision quality. The main findings of this study were: (1) decision quality can be improved in large computer-supported groups, and (2) large groups generate more alternatives and take longer to reach a final decision than small ones. Implications are discussed.