Information Overload: A Decision Making Perspective

Today, the issue of information overload is now commonly addressed in the popular press using phrases such as “Information Fatigue Syndrome.” Information overload is increasingly perceived as having an adverse affect on decision making. This is somewhat in contrast to much of the decision making literature which assumes that individuals start from a position of a lack of information or simply have sufficient information. This paper examines the perceived existence of information overload and its effect on decision making. A sample of MBA students from New Zealand and the USA responded to a questionnaire on this topic. Nearly all respondents held professional appointments in organizations. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of results is presented, concluding with a discussion of implications for MCDM.

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