Understanding the link between information overload and online collective knowledge sharing in construction project teams: a stress and coping perspective

Purpose The adoption of digital collaboration platforms has fundamentally shifted how and where knowledge is shared within construction project teams. Simply, online collective knowledge sharing (OCKS) is becoming increasingly prevalent, while its practical realization is difficult and the underlying inhibitory mechanism has yet to be explored. Design/methodology/approach Grounded in the transactional theory of stress and coping, this study identifies information overload (IO) as an impediment unique in the online collective context and investigates its underlying psychological mechanisms and boundary conditions. A field survey of 208 project members (Study 1) and two scenario-based experiments (Study 2) were conducted. Findings Our findings reveal that IO does not exert a direct, unmediated negative effect on OCKS. Instead, it triggers a sequential psychological withdrawal, i.e. decreased psychological safety and consequent diminished felt responsibility to share, ultimately impeding OCKS. Furthermore, hierarchical distance serves as a critical boundary condition, amplifying the negative impact of IO on psychological safety. Originality/value This research contributes to construction knowledge management literature by isolating digital inhibitors and offers managers actionable insights to govern the structural and psychological dimensions of modern digital workspaces.