FUNCTIONAL THEORY OF GROUP DECISION QUALITYGary H. Blum

What is it?

The functional theory of group decision quality is based on the effectiveness of the relationship between the group performance and the ability of incorporating the five functions necessary during the decision interaction.

“Actual productivity = potential productivity – losses due to faulty processes”

Who uses it?Group decision making is used in every aspect of our society. It is found in the classrooms, in sports, in business and in government. Depending on the complexity of the task, the application of the five factors of group decision making would help in a quality outcome. Researchers have analyzed from simple tasks like household decisions, for example, like buying a stove to more complex tasks, like a winter survival task.

Why use it?

The purpose of the theory is to help with the communication process in group decision making using the five factors. They are…◦ Understanding the problem◦ Understanding the requirements for a good

choice◦ Developing a range of realistic solutions◦ Evaluating the positive results◦ Evaluating the negative results

CriticismThere is disparagement

about this theory when it comes to the task situation. The theory has great impact when the task has a complex structure vs. simple structure. An example of a simple task can be something like opening a door, where as a complex task is building a front door of a house.

More to come…..

There is so much more to understand about group decision making and how can we make it more effective in every type of decisions.

Furthermore, the introduction of technology in our society has incorporated itself into group decision making. There is much more to understand about the effectiveness of computer-mediated communication vs. face-to-face communication in effective decision making.