topic: mitigation of information overload syndrome...

BY:

GEORGE K.S. AKORFU

TOPIC: MITIGATION OF INFORMATION

OVERLOAD SYNDROME ON EXECUTIVES

1

PHD VIVA VOCE PRESENTATION

2

INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY

• The study analysed the situation of Information Overload (IO) syndrome and taking into account the interdependencies of the various variables of IO to develop and demonstrate a robust and flexible operational empirical methodology to serve as a broad framework for identifying the significant information users (executives) require to mitigate the phenomenon.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

3

INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY continue

• THE BASIS/BACKGROUND

Information overload (IO) has become a widely recognised problem within today’s information-intensive society because human information processing capacity is bounded.

The problem of IO is affecting everybody in organisations today especially executives who use information for decision making.

As a result, executives spend increasingly large amounts of time in accessing the significant information they require for decision making.

RESEARCH PROBLEM

4

RESEARCH PROBLEM continue

• RESEARCH PROBLEM SETTING

Literature postulated that: effective methodologies to prevent information overload may need to approach the IO problem in more diverse ways, seeing it not only as a possible individual disorder, but as a systemic, emergent pattern of certain behaviours, expectations and structures (Eppler & Mengis, 2004).

Such a systematic methodology does not yet exist and a sound empirical basis must first be established (Eppler & Mengis, 2004).

• PRIOR RESEARCH EFFORTS

Previous research efforts on addressing IO problem focused on the various variables that trigger the phenomenon individually to mitigate the phenomenon.

But other authors (Eppler & Mengis, 2004; Farhoomand & Drury, 2002; Edmunds & Morris, 2000; Bawden, 2001; Tushman & Nadler, 1978) on IO suggested that the analysis of IO should no longer be studied using models of linear cause and effect, but should rather be represented with cyclical structures and a focus on interdependencies of the various variables to mitigate the phenomenon.

This is important since the complexity of the phenomenon is mainly given by the interconnectedness of its various determinants.


5

RESEARCH PROBLEM continue

• THE RESEARCH GAP

There is no clear focus on interdependencies of the various variables of IO in a methodology to mitigate the phenomenon.

• WHY ADDRESS THE RESEARCH GAP

Addressing the gap is important to shift the paradigm in strategies for mitigating IO, throw more light on the study area and the application of analysis of interdependence to mitigate IO.

INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY

6


• Research Finding 1: Executives experience IO.

Practical implications: The findings should encourage executives to find new strategies of managing IO.

• Research Finding 2: The triggers of IO are executive independent (not dependent on any particular executive).

• Practical implications: The findings should inform executives to apply mitigation strategies across board without discrimination.

• Research Finding 3: The mitigating strategies of IO are executive independent (not dependent on any particular executive).

Practical implications: The findings should encourage executives to apply mitigation strategies across board without discrimination.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

7

INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY continue THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

• Research Finding 4: It is not all the established characteristics of good information that executives employ to select information for decision making in this new era of information rich society, rather other new emerging characteristics are being considered.

• Practical implications: The findings can challenge executives not to depend on only the established criteria but to consider other criteria in selecting information to mitigate IO in this information rich era.

• Research Finding 5: An empirically based methodology was developed and demonstrated to determine the PSI executives require to mitigate IO.

Practical implications: The finding has shifted significantly the paradigm in strategies of mitigating IO by taking into account interdependence of various determinants of IO to develop a methodology to select PSI for executives to mitigate the phenomenon.

Theoretical implications: The finding provides new insights into the adoption of Information Processing Theory and other theories and taking into account the interdependence of various determinants of IO to mitigate IO.

8

INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY continue THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

• Research Finding 6: The determination of PSI executives require to mitigate IO.

• Practical implications: The findings can inform industries that the Industry PSI could be used as outputs in the design and implementation of information systems for executives to mitigate IO.

• Research Finding 7: The study found out that PSI is industry dependent.

• Practical implications: The findings show that it is incumbent on executives to determine their own industry PSI to mitigate IO.

9

THE LITERATURE REVIEW

• Literature identified the triggers of IO as: Information itself, Personal traits of the user, Tasks and processes to be performed by the user, organisational design and IT.

• These triggers contain the variables that interconnect to cause IO.

• Literature also presents both the objective and subjective views on IO.

• Objectively, Tushman & Nadler 1978 stated that IO occurs when IPR exceeds IPC.

• Subjectively, Edmunds & Morris 2000, Farhoomand & Drury 2002 stated that IO occurs when the user is being burdened by a large supply of information that cannot be assimilated, leading to: a breakdown, feelings of stress, confusion, pressure and anxiety.

10

• In this research, the objective view is adopted.

• This view is used because this research is about focusing on the analysis of the interdependence of the various variables of IO by developing an empirical methodology that closes the gap between IPC and IPR by extracting “noise” from IPR thereby decreasing the IPR of executives.

• Since it is postulated that: IPR = PSI + Noise.

• In conclusion, it can be stated that the literature does not provide specific proactive suggestions on how to analyse the interdependence of the various variables to develop a methodology to mitigate the phenomenon.

THE LITERATURE REVIEW Continue

11

THE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY DATA COLLECTION

• The survey strategy was used to collect quantitative (nominal, ordinal and numeric) data from a population of enterprises in the construction and hospitality enterprises in Ghana using questionnaire.

DEPENDENT AND INDEPENDENT VARIABLES

• One hundred and eighty-eight (188) financial and non-financial information considered for the research are the dependent variables and the twenty (20) criteria for selection are the independent variables.

SAMPLING PLAN

• In the Hospitality industry, purposive sampling was used to select the 199 respondents from a population 1,287 enterprises based on their grading (i.e. from 2-star to 5-star).

• Questionnaires were sent out to these respondents by a research assistant. Out of the 199 questionnaires sent to respondents, 138 (69.35%) were retrieved.

• In the construction industry, purposive sampling was also used to select the 250 respondents from a population of 1,988 enterprises based on their usage of telephones (i.e., both mobile phones and landline) for easy location.

• Questionnaires were sent to these respondents by a research assistant. Out of the 250 questionnaires sent to respondents, 184 (73.60%) were retrieved.

12

RESEARCH QUESTION ANALYSIS METHOD REASONS

RQ1: To what degree do executives experience information overload?

Chi-square (χ2) tests To test the hypothesis for differences and association of the variables. p-value approach were used to reject the null hypothesis (Ho).

RQ2: What triggers information overload for executives?

Chi-square (χ2) tests

To test the hypothesis for differences and association of the variables. p-value approach were used to reject the null hypothesis (Ho).

RQ3: What strategies are executives using to mitigate information overload?

Chi-square (χ2) tests

To test the hypothesis for differences and association of the variables. p-value approach were used to reject the null hypothesis (Ho).

THE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY continue DATA ANALYSIS

13

THE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY continue RESEARCH QUESTION ANALYSIS METHOD REASONS

RQ4: Which established characteristics of good information do executives mostly consider to determine the information they require to mitigate information overload?

Variance Analysis in k-Means Cluster Analysis.

The hypothesis (Ho) tested is concerned with the number of significant criteria in the cases or variables.

RQ5: Which empirical methodology can determine the Pareto Significant Information (PSI) for executives to mitigate information overload?

The Analysis of Interdependence i.e. Principal Component Analysis, Cluster Analysis, Multidimensional Scaling and Manova Anova

The goal of these interdependence analysis techniques is to give meaning to the significant information or to seek to group them together and remove “noise” from IPR.

RQ6: Which Pareto Significant Information do executives require to mitigate information overload?

Cluster Analysis Pareto Principle

It used because it is the significant technique shown by ANOVA to contain PSI 20% is what is required by executive

RQ7: Are the Pareto Significant Information (PSI) industry dependent?

MANOVA ANOVA

It is used to test the significance of differences in PSI in the two industries.

Data and instruments for situational analysis of IO

ANALYSIS TEST PERFORMED RESULTS

Reliability Cronbach’s Alpha 0.974. (CI), 0.966. (HI). Both CA>0.7. Instruments and the data collected are reliable in both industries.

Validity Correlations Correlations in both industries are less than 0.5. Data is valid for the analysis

14

PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF STUDY RESULTS

Data and instruments for Weighted information matrix

ANALYSIS TEST PERFORMED RESULTS

Reliability Cronbach’s Alpha 0.753. (CI), 0.808 (HI Both CA>0.7 The weighted information matrix is reliable for the analysis in both industries.

Validity Correlations The weighted information matrix for both industries show low correlations which are significant at p < 0.05. The weighted information matrix is valid for analysis in both industries.

15

PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF STUDY RESULTS continue

RESEARCH QUESTION TESTS PERFORMED RESULTS


H0: Executives do not experience information overload. The Pearson chi-square at 0.05 confidence level was calculated to test the null hypothesis

H0: Rejected


H0: The triggers of information overload are executive dependent The Pearson chi-square at 0.05 confidence level for all the results were analysed to test the null hypothesis

H0: Rejected


Ho: The mitigation strategies of information overload are executive dependent The Pearson chi-square at 0.05 confidence level for all the results were analysed to test the null hypothesis

H0: Rejected

16

PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF STUDY RESULTS continue RESEARCH QUESTION TESTS PERFORMED RESULTS

RQ4: Which established characteristics of good information do executives mostly consider to determine the information they require to mitigate information overload?

H0: Executives do not consider all the established characteristics of good information (criteria) to determine and prioritise the information they require to mitigate information overload. The hypothesis was tested using variance analysis in k-Means Cluster Analysis at 0.05 confidence level to show the significance of the research hypothesis (H1)

The results failed to reject H0:

RQ5: Which empirical methodology can determine the Pareto Significant Information (PSI) for executives to mitigate information overload?

An empirical Methodology involving analysis of interdependence was developed and demonstrated using the case of the construction and hospitality industries.

17


RESEARCH QUESTION TESTS PERFORMED RESULTS

RQ6: Which Pareto Significant Information (PSI) do executives require to mitigate information overload?

MANOVA and ANOVA respectively were carried out on PCA, CA and MDS techniques.

Multivariate tests were significant for ANOVA tests to be performed.


H0: Pareto significant information are industry dependent. A one-way MANOVA and univariate ANOVA (Tests of between-subjects effects) at 0.05 confidence level was calculated to test the null hypothesis

The results failed to reject H0:

18


• Executives experience information overload in both industries. A significant result was found (χ2(1) = 52.20, p< 0.05, (p = 0.000)). (CI), (χ2(1) = 35.51, p< 0.05, (p = 0.000)), (HI).

• The triggers of information overload are executive independent in both industries. A significant result was found for all the Pearson chi-square at 0.05 confidence level.

• The mitigation strategies are executive independent in both industries. A significant result was found for all the Pearson chi-square at 0.05 confidence level.

• Executives do not consider all the established characteristics of good information (criteria) to determine and prioritise the information they require to mitigate IO. But rather new criteria are being considered. K-Means cluster analysis showed Nine (9) significant independent variables (criteria) for (CI) and Seven (7) for (HI).

The methodology was compared with: CSF method, By-product method, the null method, Key performance indicator method, total study method and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology. None of these use analysis of interdependence

The significant technique i.e. CA technique contains the PSI. The PSI contained both financial and non-financial information. Multivariate tests showed p-value for Wilks’ Lambda equal to 0.000. ANOVA tests show p<0.000 and bigger F-values for CA technique.

Pareto significant information are industry dependent. Multivariate tests (MANOVA) showed p-value for Wilks’ Lambda equal to 0.000. Tests of Between-Subjects (ANOVA) showed CI, F=0.165, p=0.685 and HI, F=2.221 and p=0.145.

KEY FINDINGS

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE RESEARCH QUESTIONS RESEARCH FINDINGS

RO1: To establish the Nature, the Scope and the extent to which the phenomenon of Information Overload do exist within a given industry.


Executives do experience IO.


The triggers of IO are executive independent (not dependent on any particular executive).


The mitigation strategies of IO are executive independent (not dependent on any particular executive).

RO2: To ascertain which of the established characteristics of good information executives mostly consider to determine and prioritise the information they require to mitigate IO

RQ4: Which established characteristics of good information do executives mostly consider to determine the information they require to mitigate IO?

Executives do not consider all the established characteristics of good information (criteria) to determine and prioritise the information they require to mitigate IO. Out of the 20, 8 were significant for executives in both industries. Among the 8, only 3 are the established characteristics. 19

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE RESEARCH QUESTIONS RESEARCH FINDINGS

RO3: To develop and demonstrate an empirically based methodology that can determine the PSI executives require to mitigate IO

RQ5: Which empirical methodology can determine the PSI for executives to mitigate IO? RQ6: Which PSI do executives require to mitigate IO?

Empirical Methodology involving analysis of interdependence (PCA, CA & MDS) was developed and demonstrated. The significant technique is CA. Executives are combining both financial and non-financial information for decision making.

RO4 :To establish whether PSI is industry dependent


PSI are industry dependent.

20

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS continue

21

DISCUSSION OF STUDY RESULTS continue

• RESEARCH FINDING 1:

Executives experience IO - Bawden 2001;Tushman & Nadler 1978


The triggers of information overload are executive independent in both industries - Herbig & Kramer, 1994; Bawden, 2001; Jacoby et al., 1974; Malhotra, 1982; Schneider, 1987; Tushman & Nadler, 1978


The mitigation strategies are executive independent in both industries. - Edmunds & Morris, 2000; Tushman & Nadler, 1978; Bawden, 2001; Edmunds & Morris, 2000; Cook, 1993 .


Executives do not consider all the established characteristics of good information (criteria) to determine and prioritise the information they require to mitigate IO. But rather new criteria are being considered - Olsen, 2003; Simpson & Prusak, 1995.


CSF method, By-product method, the null method, Key performance indicator method, total study method and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology - Burkan, 1988; Moutinho, 1993. Non of these use analysis of interdependence


The PSI contained both financial and non-financial information - Häckner 1988,


Strategic information is different from industry to industry. Pareto significant information are industry dependent - (Laudon & Laudon, 2012).

RELATIONSHIP OF RESEARCH FINDINGS TO OTHER RESEARCH

RESEARCH FINDINGS

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS THEORETICAL IMPLICATIONS

POLICY IMPLICATIONS

1. Executives do experience IO.

The findings should encourage executives to find new strategies of managing IO.

2. The triggers of IO are executive independent (not dependent on any particular executive).

The findings should inform executives to apply mitigation strategies across board without discrimination.

3. The mitigation strategies of IO are executive independent (not dependent on any particular executive).

The findings should inform executives to apply mitigation strategies across board without discrimination.

4. Executives do not consider all the established characteristics of good information (criteria) to determine and prioritise the information they require to mitigate IO.

The findings can challenge executives not to depend on only the established criteria but to consider other criteria in selecting information to mitigate IO in this information rich era. 22

DISCUSSION OF STUDY RESULTS continue IMPLICATIONS OF RESEARCH FINDINGS

23

DISCUSSION OF STUDY RESULTS continue

RESEARCH FINDINGS PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS THEORETICAL IMPLICATIONS

POLICY IMPLICATIONS

5. An empirically based methodology involving analysis of interdependence (PCA, CA & MDS) and Pareto principle was developed and demonstrated to determine the PSI executives require to mitigate IO.

The finding has shifted significantly the paradigm in strategies of mitigating IO by taking into account interdependence of various determinants of IO to develop a methodology to select PSI for executives to mitigate the phenomenon.

The finding provides new insights into the adoption of Information Processing Theory and other theories and taking into account the interdependence of various determinants of IO to mitigate IO.

6. The determination of PSI consisting of both financial and non-financial information for executives to mitigate IO.

The findings can inform industries that the industry PSI could be used as outputs in the design and implementation of information systems for executives to mitigate IO

7. PSI are industry dependent.

The findings show that it is incumbent on executives to determine their own industry PSI to mitigate IO.

IMPLICATIONS OF RESEARCH FINDINGS continue

24

CONCLUSIONS AND SUMMARY RESEARCH OBJECTIVES RESEARCH FINDINGS RESEARCH IMPLICATIONS

RO1: To establish the nature, the scope and the extent to which the phenomenon of information overload do exist within a given industry using the case of Construction and Hospitality industries.

RF1: Executives experience information overload. RF2: The triggers of information overload are executive independent (not dependent on any particular executive). RF3: The mitigation strategies of information overload are executive independent(not dependent on any particular executive).

Practice: RI1: The findings should encourage executives to find new strategies of managing IO. RI2: The findings should inform executives to apply mitigation strategies across board without discrimination. RI3: The findings should inform executives to apply mitigation strategies across board without discrimination.

RO2: To ascertain which of the established characteristics of good information executives mostly consider to determine and prioritise the information they require to mitigate information overload.

RF4: It is not all the established characteristics of good information that executives employ to select information for decision making in this new era of information rich society, rather other new emerging characteristics are being considered.

Practice: The findings can challenge executives not to depend on only the established criteria but to consider other criteria in selecting information to mitigate IO in this information rich era.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES RESEARCH FINDINGS RESEARCH IMPLICATIONS

RO3: To develop and demonstrate an empirically based methodology that can determine the PSI executives require to mitigate IO

RF5: An empirical based methodology was developed and demonstrated to determine the PSI executives require to mitigate IO.

Practice: The finding has shifted significantly the paradigm in strategies of mitigating IO by taking into account interdependence of various determinants of IO to develop a methodology to select PSI for executives to mitigate IO phenomenon. Theory: The finding provides new insights into the adoption of Information Processing Theory and other theories and taking into account interdependence of various determinants of IO to mitigate IO.

RF6: The determination of PSI consisting of both financial and non-financial information for executives to mitigate IO.

Practice: The finding can inform industries that the industry PSI could be used as outputs in the design and implementation of information systems for executives to mitigate IO.

RO4: To establish whether PSI is industry dependent

RF7: PSI are industry dependent. Practice: The findings show that it is incumbent on executives to determine their own industry PSI to mitigate IO. 25

CONCLUSIONS AND SUMMARY continue

26

CONCLUSIONS AND SUMMARY continue

The Gaps in knowledge have been filled by the study as follows:

• A sound empirical basis was established of the existence of the phenomenon IO and that the triggers and mitigation strategies of IO are not dependent on any particular executive.

• The study took into account the interdependencies of the various variables of IO and developed and demonstrated a robust and flexible empirical methodology with Pareto principle to determine PSI consisting of both financial and non-financial information executives require to mitigate IO in organizations.

• The study refined the view that executives are still using only the established characteristics of good information, but rather other new emerging characteristics of good information are being considered by executives to select information to mitigate IO.

• The study confirmed that PSI are industry dependent.

27

THANK YOU

topic: mitigation of information overload syndrome...

Documents