(in German)

This report presents results of the project "Information flood in the workplace - dealing with large amounts of information transmitted through electronic media". The project's overarching goal was to reveal approaches for managing, in a non-overwhelming (adequate) manner, large amounts of information transmitted at work through digital information and communication technologies. Further objectives focused on investigating the specific conditions for information overload associated with the use of digital media in the workplace as well as the consequences of experiencing information overload. A multi-method research approach was implemented with seven organizations operating in the areas of administration, IT development and service, and research and development. Following a systematic review of the literature, data was collected from 73 participants in an interview study designed to gain insight into the phenomenon information overload, its conditions and effects and determine existing efforts and solutions within the participating organizations. A subsequent survey with 320 employees and an ecological momentary assessment with 93 employees were conducted to statistically test and further develop the results of the interview study. Practical design approaches for adequately dealing with large amounts of information were then gathered in 19 participatory workshops. The results reveal that sources of information overload often exist within the organizations themselves: e. g. in design of tasks and work, in design and organization of information and digital media, or employees' individual approaches to deal with information, for example by opting for inadequate types of digital media. The analysis identified diverse approaches for adequately dealing with information in digital information and communication technologies, centering around structural prevention while acknowledging its close connection to approaches in behavioral prevention.

Please download the complete report "Information flood in the workplace - dealing with large amounts of information transmitted through electronic media" (in German only).