A method and a first device for determining a group owner during establishment of a local-wireless communication connection are provided. The method includes searching for a second device that supports the local-wireless communication connection; searching, if the second device is found, for services supportable by the second device; determining an intent value of the first device corresponding to a group owner authority with respect to a service to be connected among the found supportable services; transmitting, to the second device, a negotiation message including the determined intent value of the first device; receiving, from the second device, a negotiation message including an intent value of the second device; and determining, from among the first device and the second device, a device having the group owner authority by comparing the determined intent value of the first device with the intent value of the second device.