We describe two conceptually linked studies that investigate whether and how group decision support systems (GDSS) enhance knowledge exchange and decision-making in diverse groups.  Our results indicate that core features of GDSS, namely process structuring and reduced social cues, interact with a wide array of individual differences to improve decision-making in diverse groups.  Specifically, process structuring encourages individuals to voice their opinions during group discussions, creating an inclusive environment for knowledge exchange and revealing the benefits of informational diversity.  At the same time, reduced social cues during group discussions focus individuals on the message being communicated rather than the messenger, mitigating the harmful effects of social categorization based on demographic characteristics and allowing the cognitive value of personality to manifest.  Taken together, the findings from our two studies provide some rich insights about how features of communication technology can influence group process mechanisms to enhance decision-making in diverse groups.

Keywords: GDSS, diversity, groups, teams, decision-making, performance, communication technology