A metaplanning expert system for a Computer-Supported Meeting Environment: Definition and validation of a prototype.

Abstract

As competitive environments become more complex, demands for flexible strategic management increase and responses become more dependent on information technology. Computer Supported Meeting Environments (CSMEs) have been successful in reducing the time needed for meetings and supporting strategic management processes. Because of its toolkit structure, a CSME is an information technology that allows for process flexibility. Metaplanning expert systems can support the decision to use a specific string of tools for each different client in each different meeting, particularly in strategic management. To develop an appropriate metaplanning expert system and to improve effectiveness and efficiency of using CSME for strategic planning, it is critical to assess both the user competence assumptions and the effectiveness of such system. The purpose of this dissertation is to assess the impact the user's interpretive competence (context sensitivity) and inductive competence (analog awareness) have on the selection of GroupSystems tools and to validate an expert system prototype developed to support the selection of GroupSystems tools in relation to types of user and use. Given the novelty and the interdisciplinary nature of this effort, the initial study is developed to test for differences in relation to interpretive and inductive effects, evaluate individual characteristics, and increase our understanding of the variables at play. The subjects were students in a capstone MBA business policy class. No significant differences were found in relation to context sensitivity. Analog awareness was found to have a significant impact on the decision of choosing a divergent tool and a people oriented convergent tool. The second study defines, develops, and validates a metaplanning expert system prototype. The prototype can be adapted to other process/stages focused domains that could use a string of GroupSystems tools. The main module of the prototype captures a group profile based on divergence/convergence factors associated with the group and the documentation produced by the CSME. No significant differences were found between facilitators and non-facilitators. Subjects (MIS PhD students) who used the prototype to answer to environmental analysis, strategy formulation, and strategy evaluation test cases scored, significantly better than those who have not used the system.