THE CONSUMER INFORMATION OVERLOAD CONTROVERSY AND PUBLIC POLICY

In: Policy studies review: PSR, Band 2, Heft 3, S. 465-473

Abstract

THIS ARTICLE DISCUSSES AN ASPECT OF THE CONSUMER INFORMATION DEBATE AND FOCUSES ON THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION OF THE DEBATE OVER INFORMATION: DOES THE PROVISION OF MORE INFORMATION IMPROVE CONSUMER DECISION MAKING OR DOES IT INSTEAD PRODUCE INFORMATION "OVERLOAD" AND THUS CONFUSION AND POORER RESULTS. THIS PAPER CALLS TO THE ATTENTION OF POLICY MAKERS THE EXISTENCE OF RESEARCH INDICATING THAT MORE INFORMATION CAN LEAD TO BETTER CONSUMER DECISIONS.