Human (Over-)Reliance on Information Technology: A Literature Review and Research Framework

As information technology systems become increasingly integrated into organizations and our daily lives, our understanding of how individuals depend on these systems remains limited. In this paper, we present a systematic review of the core information technology systems literature on technological (over-)reliance, organized around four key areas: technology, task, people, and organizational structure. Building on this foundation, we propose a theoretical framework that classifies technological reliance along two analytical dimensions: the degree of dependence on technology and the level of user control over the outcome. Furthermore, we engage in a preliminary discussion regarding the dynamics among various factors influencing the reliance relationships, as well as the potential consequences of over-reliance.