What is GSS? Describe it's advantages and disadvantages. There
is some controversy about what a Group Support System is.
Perhaps the best and simplest definition is "a computer-based
system to support a meeting". Other terms such as GDSS (Group
Decision Support System), groupware and CSCW (Computer Supported
Cooperative Work) may be used synonymously, although some
researchers argue that there is a distinct difference among
them. DeSanctis and Gallupe have stated that a GDSS is "an
interactive computer-based system to facilitate the solution of
semistructured and unstructured tasks by a group that have joint
responsibility for performing it. Dennnis, et al. sometimes use
the term EMS (Electronic Meeting System) for essentially the
same system. However, they state that an EMS goes beyond
decision making implied by the DeSanctis definition of GDSS.
Because of this controversy over the term "GSS", it is probably
better to use more specific terms such as "Electronic
Poolwriting in a Virtual Legislative Session."