316 Afshar, Yearwood, & Stranieri Copyright © 2006, Idea Group Inc. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of Idea Group Inc. is prohibited. Chapter XVI A Tool for Assisting Group Decision-Making for Consensus Outcomes in Organizations Faezeh Afshar, University of Ballarat, Australia John Yearwood, University of Ballarat, Australia Andrew Stranieri, University of Ballarat, Australia Abstract This chapter introduces an approach, ConSULT (Consensus based on a Shared Understanding of a Leading Topic), to enhance group decision-making processes within organizations. ConSULT provides a computer-mediated framework to allow argumentation, collection and evaluation of discussion and group decision-making. This approach allows for the articulation of all reasoning for and against propositions in a deliberative process that leads to cooperative decision-making. The chapter argues that this approach can enhance group decision-making and can be used in conjunction with any computational intelligence assistance to further enhance its outcome. The approach is particularly applicable in an asynchronous and anonymous environment. IDEA GROUP PUBLISHING This paper appears in the book, Business Applications and Computational Intelligence edited by Kevin E. Voges and Nigel K. L. Pope © 2006, Idea Group Inc. 701 E. Chocolate Avenue, Suite 200, Hershey PA 17033-1240, USA Tel: 717/533-8845; Fax 717/533-8661; URL-http://www.idea-group.com ITB12009