A case study of information overload at a government organization / Ellyza Maulan, Maisarah Kasmani and Noor Ashira Abd Rahman

Information overload means abundances of information that we receive from all sources which then we cannot handle it effective and efficiently. Information can come from many sources such as from the internet, newspaper, magazines, company documentation, records from interview, observations, and so on. If all these sources are not being handled properly, it will cause information overload that can effect an organization. Thus research has been done to find out the existence of information overload and its effects on employee performances. This research has been conducted at the District Office of Batu Pahat. In order to conduct this research, we have to find out literature review from internet about information overload as the proof to support our research. We have found out that the main problem that contribute to information overload are computer skills and technology. They are not experts in handling computers and are not updated the latest technology. This make them lack of skills to handle any information that comes from the internet. With that, we have conducted this research to find out what are the main causes that contribute to information overload in that place. For collecting data about the organization, we have prepared and distributed questionnaire to the staffs. The questionnaire has been divided into four sections which are demographic, computer handling and understanding, work culture, and the effect of information overload. This method is the best method in identifying the existence of information overload and its effect on staff performance. From the method that we use, we have collected data that will be analyzed in order to find the answer to our research questions. The findings that we get are almost all of the respondents doesn't know and understand information overload. Information overload brings disadvantages to people or organizational who experienced it. It may harm the people and organizational that are involved because of the effect of information overload such as the staffs will feel demotivated, delayed their work, and organizational productivity and operations effectiveness will decreased. To avoid information overload, we have recommend a few solutions which are time management, job sharing and training