Loughborough University
Browse
Final Submitted Manuscript - Jackson.pdf (410.24 kB)

Theory-based model of factors affecting information overload

Download (410.24 kB)
journal contribution
posted on 2013-02-12, 09:52 authored by Tom JacksonTom Jackson, Pourya Farzaneh
As the volume of available information increases, individuals and organisations become overwhelmed by the plethora of information. This can reduce productivity and performance, hinder learning and innovation, affect decision making and well-being and cost organisations large amounts of money. This paper develops a new theory-based model of factors affecting information overload and provides a formula for calculating the extent of overload, potentially of use as a diagnostic tool supporting individual or organisational development. Two methods for categorising factors that contribute to the overload phenomena are introduced. The first method separates those factors based on their direct or indirect effect on information overload, called intrinsic and extraneous factors respectively. The second method divides factors based on whether or not the factor increases or decreases information overload likelihood and tags those factors in terms of ‘For’ or ‘Against’. These new methods for categorisation not only assisted in the development of the conceptual model and in creating the formula, but could be used in other aspects of information overload research, such as finding and evaluating countermeasures to information overload. The model and the formula presented in the paper provide a significant contribution to the information overload body of research.

History

School

  • Science

Department

  • Information Science

Citation

JACKSON, T. and FARZANEH, P., 2012. Theory-based model of factors affecting information overload. International Journal of Information Management, 32 (6), pp.523-532.

Publisher

© Elsevier

Version

  • AM (Accepted Manuscript)

Publication date

2012

Notes

This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in the International Journal of Information Management. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2012.04.006

ISSN

0268-4012

Language

  • en