When Information Quality Amplifies Information Overload - Moderation Effect of Information Quality on the Effect of Information Quantity on Information Overload

The use of information and communication technologies and large language models in the workplace substantially increases employees’ information demands. Yet organizations still struggle to prevent information overload, because the underlying mechanisms of information overload remain debated and insufficiently understood. We draw on research on human memory, information management, and cognitive load theory to test whether objective and perceived information quantity and quality jointly contribute to information overload, and whether higher information quality buffers the effect of information quantity. Two studies were conducted: first, a repeated measures experiment with 91 students in a realistic control center simulation, and second, a cross-sectional study with 209 employees. In study one, the quality and quantity of information was manipulated between participants. In both studies, subjective perception of information quality and information quantity were measured. In both studies, high perceived information quality amplified rather than buffered the effect of information quantity on information overload. In addition, study one supported the main effects of manipulated and perceived information quality and information quantity on information overload, and in study two, only perceived information quality showed strong associations with information overload. These findings contribute to understand proximal processes of information overload emergence and propose intervention approaches for organizations to prevent information overload, especially towards the dual role of information quality in IO emergence and AI use at digital workplaces. This study emphasizes that subjective perceptions of information demands should complement objective parameters to improve usability in information systems and human-computer interaction architectures. • Investigating the moderation effect of information quality on the effect of information quantity on information overload • Novel paradigm to investigate both information quality and quantity via using manipulations and the assessment of subjective perceptions • Two study design with realistic digital control-center simulation experiment ( N =91) and cross-sectional employee survey ( N =209) • Integrating theories from human memory, educational psychology and information management • Practical implications emphasize quality-focused information management, and that subjective perceptions of information demands should complement objective parameters to improve usability in information systems and human-computer interaction architectures