Input Information Complexity and Information Processing in GSS-Based Virtual Work Groups: An Experimental Investigation

The issue of information overload in group decision making settings has not received sufficient attention in the past. In particular, information processing and information complexity have not been addressed in the context of GSS research. This paper discusses a study that examined whether information overload occurs in group decision making settings, using a combination of measures for information processing and information complexity. The relationship between information complexity measures, information diversity and information volume, and information processing measures, decision time and information flow, suggest that overload occurs in a group setting involving cognitive conflict tasks. The study also showed that adding an appropriate decision aid alleviated the overload, permitting groups to process larger and more complex information. The initial results are promising and provide a basis for future exploratory research.