Abstract
This study investigates two roles in Group Support Systems (GSS) meetings, those of the facilitator and the technical support person or “chauffeur.” GSS technology originated as a support for cooperative work in groups. The work of facilitators, who have traditionally supported group work both in terms of structure and process is changing. GSS involve a “mechanistic” approach, and, typically, in such GSS systems as MeetingWorks, a technical operator or chauffeur within the software environment will take over some of the facilitator functions. The facilitator can accommodate this in various ways. One approach is to develop a role relationship with the chauffeur, if possible, given the two seemingly distinct areas of expertise. This study attempts to address what form this relationship might take and how it might develop. We use an interpretivist framework and grounded theory methodology, together with focused interviews to investigate these questions from two selected case studies of a facilitator and chauffeur team who conducted GSS meetings with nine client groups. The study outcomes were the development of a descriptive model (EDASA) of the relationship development process between the team members and a description of alternative role relationships for facilitator and chauffeur.
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Whiteley, A.M., Garcia, J.E. The facilitator and the chauffeur in GSS: Explorations in the forging of a relationship. Group Decis Negot 5, 31–50 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02404175
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02404175