Time to Forget: Intentional Forgetting in the Digital World of Work

Niessen C, Göbel K, Siebers M, Schmid U (2020)


Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2020

Journal

Book Volume: 64

Pages Range: 30-45

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1026/0932-4089/a000308

Abstract

Emerging technologies at work encourage the collection and storage of large amounts of data. However, these vast quantities of data are likely to impair efficient work decisions by employees over time, with negative consequences for the organization. As human attention increasingly represents the scarce resource at work, the present paper focuses on a mechanism of attentional control at work-namely, intentionally forgetting unwanted and outdated internal (e.g., knowledge) and external (e.g., digital objects) information. The purpose of this paper is threefold. Based on a short review of the research on intentional forgetting, a prototypical conceptualization of an interactive assistive system (Dare2Del, cognitive companion) is provided, which should support employees in temporally ignoring or permanently deleting outdated information. Then, we completed a critical incident study to examine why and when employees might want to forget information at work, and to identify in which working situations an assistive system should be particularly helpful.

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How to cite

APA:

Niessen, C., Göbel, K., Siebers, M., & Schmid, U. (2020). Time to Forget: Intentional Forgetting in the Digital World of Work. Zeitschrift für Arbeits- und Organisationspsychologie, 64(1), 30-45. https://doi.org/10.1026/0932-4089/a000308

MLA:

Niessen, Cornelia, et al. "Time to Forget: Intentional Forgetting in the Digital World of Work." Zeitschrift für Arbeits- und Organisationspsychologie 64.1 (2020): 30-45.

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