Title
Internet-based knowledge acquisition: Task complexity and performance
Abstract
Internet tools used as knowledge retrieval mechanisms can be beneficial for knowledge acquisition (KA). This study applies the concepts of decisional guidance and restrictiveness to three commonly used tools to predict perceived information overload, task quality, and task speed for tasks that differ in complexity. In an experimental setting we find that less restrictive pull systems (i.e., web directories and Google search) increased quality in high-complexity tasks over more restrictive push systems (i.e., listservs) and lowered perceived information overload in both low- and high-complexity tasks. In low-complexity tasks, subjects using predefined guidance (i.e., listservs and web directories) performed better and faster than those using participative guidance (i.e., Google search). In high-complexity tasks, participative guidance provided lower perceived information overload and higher task quality. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Year
DOI
Venue
2012
10.1016/j.dss.2011.12.004
Decision Support Systems
Keywords
Field
DocType
higher task quality,google search,participative guidance,decisional guidance,task complexity,internet-based knowledge acquisition,web directory,low-complexity task,high-complexity task,predefined guidance,increased quality,information overload
Data mining,Information overload,World Wide Web,Restrictiveness,Information seeking,Computer science,Knowledge management,Knowledge retrieval,Knowledge acquisition,The Internet
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
53
1
0167-9236
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
4
0.39
35
Authors
3
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Nancy K. Lankton119515.73
Cheri Speier273040.33
E. Vance Wilson337235.76