Group Decision Analysis (GDA)-- A Framework of Structural Rational Group Discussion --

Abstract

We propose a simple formal framework to represent the structure of rational discussion, which we call Group Decision Analysis (GDA). GDA is a formalization of an integrative (win-win) negotiation (Raiffa, H. (2002) "Negotiation Analysis") that prescribes members of a group to discuss effectively. Based on GDA model, we illustrate the essential roles of a group discussion. Particularly, we argue that group objectives must be clarified at first in order to achieve an effective group discussion, which implies that a group discussion requires commitment of the members to some sort of group cooperation. We show a simple case in which there exist members that do not like to have a discussion.