Deck 5: Group Decision Support and Groupware Technologies

Question 1

A group can be defined as a simple collective entity that is independent of its members.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

A group can be defined by the structure of the problem context.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

MDM is defined as an activity conducted by a collective entity composed of two or more individuals and characterized in terms of both the properties of the collective entity as well as its individual members.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

MDMs can be classified in terms of the degree of centralization characterized by each of the four network structures.

Question 5

In a chain network, each participant can communicate with the decision maker at the center but not with each other.

Question 6

In a wheel network, the decision maker can communicate with anyone.

Question 7

In a circle network, all members have an equal opportunity for communication.

Question 8

The completely connected network structure is the least restrictive structure.

Question 9

The chain network displays a high degree of centrality and is appropriate for routine or recurring decisions with high-probability outcomes.

Question 10

The circle network serves as the basis for the group and committee MDM structures and is often employed in situations where negotiation or consensus must be the basis for the final decision.

Question 11

When the expertise of the decision maker is critical, then the most appropriate decision structure is a committee.

Question 12

In group decision making, the factor that has the greatest impact is the size of the group.

Question 13

Think-tank is the term referred to as a mode of thinking that people engage in when their desire to fit in overrides their decision-making ability.

Question 14

One common method used to control sources of potential conflict is participant anonymity.

Question 15

A GDSS is a collective of computer-based technologies used to aid multiparticipant efforts directed at identifying and addressing problems, opportunities, and issues.

Question 16

An ODSS is a complex system of computer-based technologies, including those that facilitate communication that provides support for decision makers spanning the range of organizational roles and functional levels, and accommodates decision contexts that cut across organizational units.

Question 17

Process structure of an MDM involves various mechanisms focused on facilitating participant interaction.

Question 18

Groupware is focused on issues related to collaborative processes among people.

Question 19

E-mail would not be considered a type of groupware because it is an asynchronous process.

Question 20

Nominal group techniques works best when there is a single decision maker structure.

Question 21

Which of the following is not a characteristic of a highly centralized network structure?

A) They are efficient for routine and recurring decisions.
B) They tend to produce lower average levels of satisfaction among the participants.
C) They promote innovative solutions.
D) They tend to result in a stable set of interactions among the participants.

Question 22

Which of the following is true of a completely connected network structure?

A) They tend to produce lower average levels of satisfaction among the participants.
B) They tend to strengthen the leadership position of the central members.
C) They promote creative solutions.
D) They tend to result in a stable set of interactions among the participants.

Question 23

Which of the following is a factor used in determining decision structure?

A) The degree of structuredness of the problem structure
B) The probability of acceptance of an autocratic decision
C) The importance of the quality of the decision
D) All of the above.

Question 24

Which of the following is not true regarding the relationship between group size and its affect on MDM?

A) Participant interaction increases as the size increases.
B) Affective relationships tend to decrease as size increases.
C) Central leadership tends to increase as size increases.
D) None of the above.

Question 25

Which of the following communication networks displays a high degree of centrality and is appropriate for routine or recurring decisions with high-probability outcomes?

A) Wheel
B) Chain
C) Circle
D) Completely connected

Question 26

Which of the following is not considered one of the four basic types of communication networks?

A) Wheel
B) Chain
C) Circle
D) Semi-connected

Question 27

Which of the following networks is most appropriate when routine or recurring decisions are being made?

A) Wheel
B) Chain
C) Circle
D) Completely connected

Question 28

Which of the following network structures serves as the basis for the group and committee MDM structure and is often employed in situations where negotiation or consensus must be the basis for the final decision?

A) Wheel
B) Chain
C) Circle
D) Completely connected

Question 29

A(n) _____ is a complex system of computer-based technologies, including those that facilitate communication, that provides support for decision-makers spanning the range of organizational roles and functional levels and accommodates decision contexts that cut across organizational units.

A) ODSS
B) GSS
C) GDSS
D) DSS

Question 30

A(n) ____ is a collective of computer-based technologies used to aid multiparticipant efforts directed at identifying and addressing problems, opportunities and issues.

A) ODSS
B) GSS
C) GDSS
D) DSS

Question 31

A(n) ___ is a collective of computer-based technologies that are specifically designed to support the activities and processes related to multiparticipant decision making.

A) ODSS
B) GSS
C) GDSS
D) DSS

Question 32

A(n) ____ is a system under the control of one or more decision makers that assists in the activity of decision making by providing an organized set of tools intended to impart structure to portions of the decision-making situation and to improve the ultimate effectiveness of the decision outcome.

A) ODSS
B) GSS
C) GDSS
D) DSS

Question 33

Which of the following is not one of the four basic approaches that have been identified through which MDM support can be provided?

A) Process support
B) Process structure
C) Task support
D) Organizational structure

Question 34

______ involves providing various mechanisms focused on facilitating participant interaction, communication, knowledge gathering, and memory. These mechanisms are omnipresent in all current deployments of GSS and groupware applications.

A) Process support
B) Process structure
C) Task support
D) Task structure

Question 35

______ focuses on mechanisms that serve to govern the various communication activities among participants including the pattern of interaction, the timing, and sometimes even the content.

A) Process support
B) Process structure
C) Task support
D) Task structure

Question 36

______ involves the application of mechanisms that can select, organize, or even derive information and knowledge that is specifically relevant to the task or decision at hand.

A) Process support
B) Process structure
C) Task support
D) Task structure

Question 37

The _____________ MDM system is primarily intended to focus on facilitation of communication among the participants. Its main objective is to hasten and stimulate the exchange of messages and to reduce or remove the inherent barriers to communication associated with MDM activities.

A) Level 1
B) Level 2
C) Level 3
D) None of the above.

Question 38

The _____________ MDM systems are designed to reduce uncertainty that can evolve from an MDM problem-solving activity. Both process and task structuring mechanisms are typically found in this class of MDM support.

A) Level 1
B) Level 2
C) Level 3
D) None of the above.

Question 39

The _____________ system contains all of the features of its predecessors and expands the support mechanisms through an increase in process structuring techniques intended to control participant interaction.

A) Level 1
B) Level 2
C) Level 3
D) None of the above.

Question 40

Identify the factors used in determining decision structure.

Question 41

List the forces that describe groupware development.