A tool for assisting group decision-making for consensus outcomes in organizations

This chapter introduces an approach, ConSULT (Consensus based on a Shared Understanding of a Leading Topic), to enhance group decision-making processes within organizations. ConSULT provides a computer-mediated framework to allow argumentation, collection and evaluation of discussion and group decision-making. This approach allows for the articulation of all reasoning for and against propositions in a deliberative process that leads to cooperative decision-making. The chapter argues that this approach can enhance group decision-making and can be used in conjunction with any computational intelligence assistance to further enhance its outcome. The approach is particularly applicable in an asynchronous and anonymous environment. © 2006, Idea Group Inc.