Theorizing about Group Support Systems

Theory is critical to science. Group Support Systems (GSS), as a field of scientific inquiry is no exception. The important issue about theory in GSS is then not why theory, but where should theory come from (or how should theory be developed) and how to assess it (or evaluate its usefulness). This paper expounds on these issues by considering various approaches to theorizing about GSS, and delves into prototypical efforts by GSS research community under each approach. The typical theoretical product of each approach is analyzed in terms of its conceptual and logical structure, and pitted against the criteria of relevance (Thomas & Tymon, 1982). It is hoped that an increased awareness of the processes of theorizing and critical evaluation of the resulting theory substance would provide useful directions for promoting the development of better theory and hence advancing the state of GSS theory.