Information Overload in using Content Management Systems: Causes and Consequences

In order to effectively manage organizational information assets, more and more organizations are beginning to implement content management systems (CMS) to consolidate multiple information sources into a single, centralized repository. While organizations implement CMS in attempts to help employees easily identify information sources and quickly locate relevant organizational documents, prior findings have suggested that many CMS projects fail to reach the expected adoption rates. The present paper proposes that advanced information technologies such as CMS may pose a problem of information overload. Drawing upon the information processing theory, this paper develops a research model examining users’ experiences and interactions with CMS in relation to information seeking and retrieval in organizations. In particular, the model centres on exploring some potential causes of individuals’ perceived information overload when using a CMS, and clarifying the effects of information overload on actual performance outcomes and on users’ system evaluations. The present paper responds to calls for more empirical research aimed at understanding the challenges and issues surrounding user adoption of CMS. Further, the proposed research model provides a conceptual basis to inform future research initiatives for advancing CMS designs and improving the implementation processes of CMS in organizations.