Advancing the Networked Organization with Group Decision Support Systems

为了应对与客户需求急剧波动、加速技术创新、收购或合资安排以及全球市场的出现相关的压力，许多大型组织正在用“动态网络”设计取代层级和矩阵形式的管理。动态网络是功能组织和灵活结构的结合，可以对组织的主要组成部分进行组装和重组，以满足复杂多变的竞争条件。明尼苏达大学和德士古公司提议联合研究群体决策支持系统(GDSS)和相关信息技术在促进公司向动态网络形式过渡方面的作用。该项目将涉及：(A)设计和实施供决策室以及局域网和广域网络使用的全球决策支持系统原型；(B)研究全球决策支持系统在工作组内和工作组之间的使用；(C)研究全球决策支持系统对个人、团队和较大业务单位的影响。GDS将作为一套更大的变革方法的一个方面进行研究，这些方法包括质量方案、自我管理的团队和先进的信息技术(特别是电子邮件和小组会议系统)。将探讨与GDSS的设计、使用和影响有关的几个命题。该项目建立在明尼苏达州进行的GDSS设计、理论开发和实验室研究以及在德士古GDSS设施进行的现场工作的基础上。

In response to pressures associated with sharply fluctuating customer demand, accelerating technological innovation, acquisitions or joint venture arrangements, and the emergence of global markets, many large organizations are replacing hierarchical and matrix forms of management with a `dynamic network' design. Dynamic networks are a combination of functional-organization and flexible structures such that the major components of the organization can be assembled and reassembled in order to meet complex and changing competitive conditions. The University of Minnesota and Texaco Inc. propose to undertake a joint study of the role of group decision support systems(GDSS's) and related information technologies in facilitating a corporation's transition to a dynamic network form. The project will involve:(a) design and implementation of GDSS prototypes for use in decision rooms and in local and wide-area networks; (b) studies of GDSS use within and between work teams; and (c) studies of GDSS impacts on individuals, teams, and larger business units. GDSS will be studied as one aspect of a larger set of change approaches, including quality programs, self-managed teams, and advanced information technologies (specifically, electronic mail and group conferencing systems). Several propositions related to GDSS design, use and impacts will be explored. This project builds on a base of GDSS design, theory development, and laboratory research conducted at Minnesota and field work conducted in a GDSS facility at Texaco.