Research into Group Support Systems (GSS) is still in its earlystages but there is great worldwide interest in the area of research.The study has addressed these developmental issues through a thoroughexamination of literature from thirteen core IS and GSS journals inthe period from the first published GSS journal articles (1984) untilthe end of 1996. A small number of institutions and authors at orfrom these institutions have dominated GSS research. Perhaps becauseof their dominance, most GSS research has been on EMS (particularyGroupSystems) and so more work needs to be done on other EMS softwareand non-EMS approaches. The study shows there is a clear need formore field work where studies involving actual stakeholders withtheir own problem(s) may reveal ways of improving technologies,methodologies and models, or suggesting where new approaches may beneeded. Further, theory development has been limited and moreconceptual work is needed along with empirical studies which extendcurrent theories and previous research studies. The effect of timeand experience with GSS needs to be studied, and more emphasis shouldbe placed on the development and refinement of new models andmethodologies. While the literature review carried out has somelimitations, it still provides an interesting view of the field andmay help researchers focus on the directions they wish to take intheir research in GSS. A complete bibliography of the GSS literaturefor this study is available on the web at http ://www. cbs. curtin.edu.au /is/staff/ pervan.htm.
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