ERIC Number: ED524324
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 169
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: ISBN-978-1-1243-8780-2
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Exploring the Influence of Information Overload on Middle Management Decision-Making in Organizations
Carlevale, Edward A.
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Phoenix
This phenomenological study was an exploration of information overload and how it influenced middle management decision-making in a single organization. In-depth interviews were used to gather lived experiences of 22 middle managers at XYZ Defense Company in California. Data were analyzed using both HyperRESEARCH TM 2.8 software and a manual approach described by van Kaam and later modified by Moustakas (1994). The information flow in the organization studied required middle managers to handle volumes of email from both superiors and subordinates and created information overload. Middle manager decision-making relied primarily on e-mail rather than face-to-face communication, creating adverse affects on the organization. Filtering e-mails and multitasking to cope with the overload caused middle managers to ignore or delay decisions. Technology information overload induced stress and led to ineffective decision-making. A bureaucratic style of leadership resulted in a "faceless organization" with middle managers acting as "traffic cops" responsible for filtering vast amounts of information. It is recommended that organizations prepare leaders to deal with the burden of technology information overload and promote better organizational decision-making. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Middle Management, Decision Making, Information Management, Experience, Phenomenology, Interviews, Administrators, Electronic Mail, Anxiety
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A