Facilitation and group support systems

A combined qualitative/quantitative data collection and analysis of group support systems (GSS) and group process facilitators has been carried out. The data presented represent the initial phase of the study, in which semistructured interviews were conducted with a group of practicing facilitators with a range of GSS experience in order to discover similarities and differences in their educational backgrounds, experiences, and perceptions of facilitation and GSS. The authors propose that GSS facilitators can benefit from a greater understanding of `traditional´ (e.g., organization development) group process facilitation. The data are expected to contribute to the development of guidelines for education and training of GSS facilitators