Use of GDSS for selection of technology: new integrated CAD-system for an entire company

Summary form only given. Selection of the right technology is a critical success factor for companies. The aim of technology selection is to obtain new know-how and systems, which help the company to make more competitive products and services, and more effective processes, or create completely new solutions. Technology selection is a complex, multicriteria and multiperson task. A group of persons, including representatives from all the functions of a company influenced by the technology, is needed for the selection process. The representatives of different departments with very disparate educational background and knowledge must be able to work effectively together as a group to select the best possible technologies for the company. Group decision support systems (GDSS) offer many potential benefits for promoting group work in technology selection processes. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the real advantages and problems of GDSS supporting technology selection processes in companies. The advantages and disadvantages are illustrated by a real CAD-system selection application for an industrial company. This paper clarifies the factors and limitations, which should be taken into consideration when utilizing GDSS. The focus of this analysis is in the assessment phase of the selection process for potential technology alternatives executed in a group. This study is based on a number of organized technology management sessions in the GDSS-laboratory of the industrial Engineering and Management Department at Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT) from 1994 to 1998.