INFORMATION OVERLOAD AND EMPLOYEE DEDICATION IN INSURANCE FIRMS IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between information overload and employee dedication in insurance firms in Rivers State, Nigeria. In today's digital work environment, employees are exposed to increasing volumes of information from multiple communication channels, databases, reports, and customer interactions. While access to information supports decision-making, excessive and complex information may overwhelm employees and reduce their dedication. Information overload was examined using information quantity and information complexity, while employee dedication was measured using organisational commitment and job involvement. The study was anchored on Cognitive Load Theory and adopted a correlational research design. The population comprised 420 employees from eight purposively selected insurance firms in Rivers State, from which a sample size of 205 was determined using the Taro Yamane formula. A total of 205 questionnaires were distributed (100.00%), 195 (95.12%) were retrieved, 10 (4.88%) were not returned, and 7 (3.41%) were invalid, leaving 188 (91.71%) valid questionnaires for analysis. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMC) at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that information quantity and information complexity have significant relationships with employee dedication, as reflected in employees' organisational commitment and job involvement. The study concludes that effective management of workplace information enhances employee dedication and recommends that insurance firms streamline information flow, simplify complex work-related information, and provide employees with adequate training and digital support systems to minimise information overload.