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The Role of Contextual Clues in the Creation of Information Overload

Author

Listed:
  • Chris Kimble

    (University of York UK)

  • Paul Hildreth

    (University of York UK)

  • David J Grimshaw

    (Cranfield University)

Abstract

There has been an explosion of new forms of communications media for interpersonal communication. There is anecdotal evidence of people suffering from 'information overload' as a result of these developments. This paper presents the results from, and analysis of, a case study of a perceived problem of information overload from e-mail in a large international organization: Watson Wyatt Partners. The research took two approaches to exploring the problem. The first was a survey of 1500 members of staff in the UK and Europe. This was aimed at collecting factual information. The second approach was to conduct follow up interviews with 19 people at two sites in the UK to explore some of the issues raised by the survey in greater depth. In the paper, we argue that for CMCs (Computer Mediated Communications) to be effective there is a need to establish a 'context' in which the message can be interpreted. In doing so, we will demonstrate that ignoring the degree of 'context' a media provides can adversely affect the users perceptions of that media.

Suggested Citation

  • Chris Kimble & Paul Hildreth & David J Grimshaw, 2005. "The Role of Contextual Clues in the Creation of Information Overload," Game Theory and Information 0504003, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:wpa:wuwpga:0504003
    Note: Type of Document - pdf; pages: 7. The Role of Contextual Clues in the Creation of Information Overload. Matching Technology with Organisational Needs, Proceedings of 3rd UKAIS Conference, April 1998, Lincoln University, McGraw Hill, pp 405 - 412.
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    File URL: https://econwpa.ub.uni-muenchen.de/econ-wp/game/papers/0504/0504003.pdf
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Jean-François Stich & Monideepa Tarafdar & Patrick Stacey & Cary L. Cooper, 2019. "E-mail load, workload stress and desired e-mail load: a cybernetic approach," Post-Print hal-01881947, HAL.
    2. Chris Kimble & William Selby, 2005. "An interdisciplinary study of information systems: Christopher Alexander and IS failure," Development and Comp Systems 0505006, University Library of Munich, Germany.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Electronic mail; e-mail; CMC; communication technology; contextual clues; information overload;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness

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