The effect of using group decision support systems on the processes and outcomes of value management studies

Abstract

As a result of factors such as technological development, uncertain economic conditions, social pressures, and fierce competition, clients in the construction industry are placing increasing demands upon the industry in terms of value for money. As a useful tool that can help the industry meet these challenges, value management (VM) has been widely used in many developed countries for several decades. However, reluctance to use VM often stems from the time that an expensive team has to invest in undertaking the VM process. If a way could be found to make the process more efficient and effective, then the cost of undertaking VM would decrease. Moreover, VM faces more difficulties when employers and employees, and superiors and subordinates are in the same team, due to member dominance and conformance pressure. It is proposed that group decision support systems (GDSS) may be used to make the VM process more efficient and effective by utilising modern technological developments to increase process gains and reduce process losses. The main objectives of this research are (1) to investigate the extent to which the use of GDSS can improve effectiveness and efficiency in the processes and outcomes of VM studies in construction projects; and (2) to identify critical success factors for the integration of GDSS with activities in the VM process, in order to help ensure effective and efficient communication and decision-making in VM studies. These objectives have been achieved mainly through a systematic approach using purpose-designed experimental studies conducted in Hong Kong. The results of these studies have been analysed using statistical methods to reveal the detailed effect of using GDSS on VM studies. The results have shown that GDSS is a promising technology to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of current VM studies. The way of using GDSS in VM studies also provides a useful reference for both researchers and practitioners to design and apply GDSS in the VM area. In order to further investigate the effect of using GDSS in real-life VM studies, an action research study has been conducted and the results are positive. Finally, four underlying critical success factors for using GDSS in VM studies have been identified through a questionnaire survey. They are: VM team's computer proficiency, system capabilities, workshop duration and number of participants, environmental setting. This systemic investigation leads to new knowledge on the use of GDSS to support and improve VM studies in construction industry. These outcomes can have a profound impact on the way VM workshops should be conducted and on the use of GDSS to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of VM studies. They also provide possible solutions to the difficulties frequently encountered by users during VM studies. These outcomes are valuable to the construction industry in Hong Kong, where both the government and the industry have called for wider use of VM, and yet users have encountered more difficulties than their overseas counterparts due to large number of participants and short duration of the workshops.