Finding balance in the digital era: the integration of information overload management and serendipity for Nigerian digital entrepreneurs.

Ibrahim, Suraj; Marcella, Rita; MacLennan, Alan

Abstract

This study explores the integration of information overload (IO) management and serendipitous information encounters among Nigerian digital entrepreneurs, offering novel insights into balancing efficiency and opportunity in digital ecosystems. Through a critical realism (CR) and grounded theory (GT) framework, the research analyses 26 semi-structured interviews with Nigerian business founders across sectors. Findings reveal three core strategies for mitigating IO: information immersion (deep engagement with curated data streams), limited engagement (strategic disconnection from overwhelming inputs), and detachment (selective avoidance or deferral of non-critical information). These strategies intersect with purposive and non-purposive information-seeking behaviours, demonstrating how entrepreneurs navigate information abundance while fostering serendipity. Theoretically, the research extends IO literature by integrating serendipity as a complementary-rather than conflicting-element of information management, while contributing to entrepreneurship studies through a developing country perspective. This study underscores the importance of contextualized, holistic approaches to information behaviour in fostering entrepreneurial resilience in information seeking and business idea generation.

Citation

IBRAHIM, S., MARCELLA, R. and MACLENNAN, A. 2025. Finding balance in the digital era: the integration of information overload management and serendipity for Nigerian digital entrepreneurs. Information development [online], Online First. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/026666692513280

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 3, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Mar 25, 2025
• Deposit Date: Apr 3, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 22, 2025
• Journal: Information development
• Print ISSN: 0266-6669
• Electronic ISSN: 1741-6469
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/02666669251328006
• Keywords: Information overload; Serendipity; Digital entrepreneurs; Information behaviour; Nigeria; Critical realism; Grounded theory
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2782562