Toward computer mediated elicitation of a community's core values for sustainable decision making

The quality of decision making within an organization or community and the acceptance of decisions made is dependent on the extent to which members have access to knowledge and the extent to which dialogue about the decision is deliberative. Deliberative dialogue is characterised by participants who reflect on the views of others in a respectful desire to reason towards the best resolution to a problem. In this paper we present a framework to enhance the group decision making processes within organizations by encouraging deliberative dialogue. The framework called ConSULT, provides an online means of communication between multiple participants for expressing their ideas, views, explanations and reasons and ultimately reaching a decision by consensus. Trials with the approach have proven effective for encouraging deliberative dialogue toward a decision. Further, the ConSULT framework is advanced as a means for discussion about a community's shared decisions. Values underpin our attitudes, behavior and relationships and motivate our decisions. Yet few decisions are made following conscious reflection on the values held to be core. Copyright © 2008 COSI.