Title: A reconceptualisation of Decision Conferencing: towards a command methodology

Authors: John de Reuck, Olive Schmidenberg, Des Klass

Addresses: Murdoch University, Western Australia. Graduate School of Business, Curtin University of Technology, GPO Box U 1987, Perth 6845, Western Australia, Australia. Graduate School of Business, Curtin University of Technology, GPO Box U 1987, Perth 6845, Western Australia, Australia

Abstract: Decision Conferencing can be viewed as comprising two major elements: (a) the decision-modelling component and (b) the process of group communication and facilitation in which the modelling is embedded. Whilst the former has a theoretical foundation in Decision Theory, the process of group communication and facilitation in which the modelling is embedded is, we argue, seriously under-theorised. It is therefore open to different interpretations, depending upon the assumptions held by individual facilitators about the nature of groups and their facilitation as well as about the process of communication within groups. This paper sets out to augment the current theories underpinning Decision Conferencing. The discussion relates to Decision Conferencing as applied to strategic planning. The proposed theoretical framework draws on Habermas| theory of communicative rationality by developing a command methodology. Implications of this formulation are described and discussed.

Keywords: decision conferencing; group communication; shared understanding; contemporary management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.1999.002709

International Journal of Technology Management, 1999 Vol.17 No.1/2, pp.195-207

Published online: 04 Jul 2003 *

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