Managerial Information Processing in the Era of Big Data and AI – A Conceptual Framework from an Evolutionary Review

Information processing forms an essential part of managerial behavior in the decision-making process. With big data and intelligent technologies available, business environment becomes ever dynamic and challenging, e.g. the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of misinformation and disinformation, etc., this paper aims to examine the emerging patterns of managerial information processing from both individual and organizational perspectives. This research identifies three driving forces based on an evolutionary review of studies and theories related to information processing behavior and develops a theoretical framework, which provides valuable implications on managerial information processing and organizational responses and calls for reduction of information needs on routine tasks, a shift of managers’ information attention towards uncertainties, and increased capabilities and responsibilities in analytics and AI within an effective digital governance framework.