Factors that influence users to leave, acquire, and retain information items: A case study of college students' Personal Information Management

Abstract

Personal Information Management (PIM) research has primarily focused on how users manage information items that are in their local collection, under their control. This investigation will broadly study PIM, additionally looking at items that users decide not to acquire, and seeks to identify factors that influence the leaving, acquiring, and retaining behavior. A theoretical framework developed for the study introduces the hoarding literature into the Personal Information Management (PIM) domain. The study uses a multiple-embedded case study design to naturalistically study students' PIM within the context of a college course.