Abstract

This study was performed to explore the effects of the type of information presentation format and information overload in e-government sites on user response and attitude to the sites. In order to verify a structural model of the study, online survey was conducted with two types of information format (infographic vs. text) as an experimental condition. A total of 1,000 adults participated in the survey and significance of the direct and indirect paths of the study model was analyzed through Structural Equation Modeling method. Results show that all direct and indirect path coefficients in the study model were significant, which confirms all the research hypotheses. In addition, the difference in indirect effects between the two information formats (infographic vs. text) was also significantly validated. Findings indicate that 1) information overload in e-government sites causes difficulty in cognitive processing and decreases perceived informativeness and interest, which eventually lessens usage intention and trust of the sites and 2) infographic format is more appropriate than text format to reduce information overload and cognitive difficulty and also increase positive responses to the e-government sites.