Last updated 3/11/2025
Papyrophiliac. Yes, there is a word for a person who loves paper. There’s even a word for those people who collect paper, hallmaphiles. This might be hard to believe, especially in the digital age. Every piece of paper that humans used to collect and store, insurance cards, maps, mail, warranties, user manuals, receipts, recipes can all be found in digital form. This raises the question: Does Paper have a psychological hold on humans?
Despite the explosion of digital tools and solutions, paper remains a constant in the modern professional environment. Even as we move towards more streamlined digital processes, many businesses and professionals are still reluctant to give up paper. Understanding the psychological behaviors and reasons for this resistance is key to overcoming the barriers to digitization.
The Rise of Paperless Predictions
Since the late 1970’s when the predictions of a paperless society began it was always with the belief that productivity would increase and cost would decrease. When every desk in the office hadhas a computer, it was thought that certain processes, such as bookkeeping, logistics and more, would be automated, removing the need for paper. What futurist didn’t reckon was that with each of the desktop computers would come desktop printers. Technology brought the cost to printing documents down so low that printing whole documents was inexpensive.
Between the 1980’s and 2000’s paper use increased exponentially, spawning thriving industries for document storage and shredding services. Major companies like Iron Mountain, which provides records storage and management, and Shred-it, specializing in document destruction, capitalized on this surge in paper usage, generating substantial revenues from businesses needing to store and dispose of physical records.
Remote Work and the Shift to Digital Documentation
Since the 2000’s offices in the US have beenare using less paper. Security has increased for storing digital records behind passwords and firewalls. As people become more comfortable with the security of digital storage, they are more likely to use it not only for personal documents but also for their business.
Layer the addition of the pandemic, where everyone was looking for a way to limit their contact with others, digital processes have exploded.
For example, remote work adoption has skyrocketed, with studies showing that more than 58% of the American workforce has adopted some form of remote work, further driving the need for digital documentation. Furthermore, behavioral changes post-pandemic reveal that over 65% of respondents prefer digital documents over paper for convenience and safety.
Psychological Factors: Why Paper Still Lingers
The psychological attachment to paper is also hard to ignore. Recent research suggests that people tend to associate paper with trust and permanence, making it psychologically challenging to part with. Studies have shown that while 79% of businesses believe in a paperless future, around 35% of individuals still feel more secure when important information is printed and stored physically. This attachment, while diminishing, still plays a role in the hesitation to go fully paperless.
Some industries are still playing catch-up, and papyrophiliacs are still dancing in their paper chaos. But the paperless office is no longer a myth as more industries embrace automated digital processes. The result? Increased productivity and reduced costs. While these changes were ultimately accepted, many people were reluctant to let go of their favorite old technologies.
Why Do Professionals Hold on to Paper?
- Comfort in Tangibility: One of the main reasons professionals cling to paper is the physicality of it. Paper is something we can hold in our hands, organize into files, and physically interact with. When you’re holding a physical piece of paper, it feels "real," whereas digital documents can sometimes seem abstract or intangible.
- Lack of Trust in Digital Security: Despite the significant progress made in securing digital information, some professionals are reluctant to adopt fully digital solutions due to a lack of trust in technology. Paper has long been seen as a "secure" option, and the idea of "losing" data on a hard drive or in the cloud can be unsettling.
- Perceived Control and Familiarity: In a world driven by technology, it’s natural for professionals to want to maintain control over their documents. While digital systems offer a certain level of efficiency and organization, some people find comfort in the well-established practices of paper filing systems. The familiarity with organizing and storing files in a physical space makes paper feel like a safer bet.
- Cognitive Bias and the Endowment Effect: The endowment effect is a psychological phenomenon where individuals assign more value to things they own simply because they own them. In the case of paper, professionals may feel that their paper documents hold more intrinsic value because they’ve had them for a long time. There’s a cognitive bias that causes individuals to prefer what they’re familiar with, which can create resistance to new ways of doing things, even when the new approach is more efficient.
- Lack of Immediate Incentives: Sometimes, the resistance to going paperless boils down to a lack of immediate incentives. For many professionals, the process of digitizing paperwork can seem like an inconvenience with no immediate payoff. The effort required to scan, categorize, and store files digitally can feel unnecessary, especially when paper still "works" for their needs.
Addressing the Hold Paper Has on Modern Professionals
While paper has a strong grip on many industries, it’s possible to reduce its dominance by addressing the psychological factors behind its use.
Educate on Digital Security and Trust
One of the most effective ways to ease the transition from paper to digital is to build trust in digital security systems. Education about the robust security measures that are now in place for digital storage can help ease fears about cyber threats. Highlighting the encryption, password protection, and compliance features that digital platforms offer will reassure reluctant users that their documents are secure, if not more so, than their paper counterparts.
Introduce Hybrid Solutions
Rather than forcing a sudden, all-encompassing shift to digital, offering hybrid solutions can ease employees into the transition. For example, integrating digital document management systems with paper filing for a gradual phase-out can help employees feel more comfortable. When employees have the ability to gradually replace physical files with digital ones, they will likely feel more in control and less resistant to change.
Create Incentives for Going Digital
To encourage a quicker adoption of digital solutions, organizations can create incentives for employees to digitize their work. This could involve offering bonuses for the number of files scanned, or providing training to make the transition easier. Highlighting the immediate efficiency gains that come from going paperless, such as quicker access to information, less physical storage space, and fewer errors, can help generate excitement around the move.
Is It Time for Your Business to Go Paperless?
While it’s clear that paper still has a hold on many industries, the time has come to break free from old habits and embrace the future of business. By recognizing and addressing the underlying behaviors that keep paper in our hands, organizations can more successfully navigate the transition to digital, streamlining processes, and improving overall performance.
Contact Mosaic today to find solutions designed to help businesses go paperless efficiently and effectively.
