Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
INTRODUCTION
The need to more effectively and efficiently manage information has led organizations
to focus more heavily on the values and challenges of effectively integrating information
technology (IT) into their operations. The dynamism of many industries, coupled with the
unbridled growth in IT innovations, dictates that organizations periodically rethink the key
elements for them in effectively managing their information resources. The
appropriate
approach to managing information resources continues to evolve. Some approaches that
have proved effective in the past often hold little relevance in present and future situations.
Determining the appropriate role of IT has become a critical agenda item for practitioners
within organizations and an intriguing area of research for academicians. A central figure in
both arenas for making such a determination is the chief information officer (CIO).
Admittedly, research in this area is difficult due to the constant influx of IT innovations,
as well as changes in organizational strategies and management objectives. In addition, most
research related to the CIO targets private-sector corporations. There is comparatively little
known about CIOs who work in public-sector agencies.
Thus, the primary goal of this chapter is to provide a deeper understanding of the critical
competencies for CIOs in relation to their public-sector work environments. To this end, first,
a conceptual framework of competence in the CIO position is developed. Here, CIO
competence is conceptualized in terms of what CIOs need to know and what activities CIOs
need to engage in. A secondary goal of this chapter is to stress the need to account for the
context in which the CIO performs his or her job. To this end, the sensitivity of the conceptual
framework of CIO competence in relation to two aspects of the CIO's work environment is
examined. The two aspects of the CIO's work environment that are examined are IT unit size
and IT vision. These two aspects of the CIO's work environment are referred to as the two
contextual settings for the remainder of this chapter.
The chapter is intended to flow as follows. First, a comprehensive framework of CIO
competence is presented for level-setting purposes, which will provide the basis for
discussions in later sections. Second, the importance of placing competence in context is
briefly discussed, along with an examination of the various facets of the conceptual
framework in relation to the context of the CIO's work environment. Finally, the utility of the
conceptual framework in informing the reframing of IT management pedagogy is discussed.
BACKGROUND
Over the past two decades, many organizations have come to rely on their information
base as a critical asset. Though organizations, private and public, differ markedly in terms of
their information environment (e.g., type of information collected, information sources,
information use, information management approach, etc.), the information base is universally
becoming one of the most valuable organizational resources. As Porter and Millar stated,
“Dramatic reductions in the cost of obtaining, processing, and transmitting information are
changing the way we do business” (Porter & Millar, 1985, p. 2). More recently, Michael
Dubose Chairman, President and CEO of Aftermarket Technology Corporation, stated,
“…information access and flow is absolutely critical to today's businesses” (Prince, 1999,
p. 66).
Attempts to better harness the power of information for process redesign, new and
enhanced product and service offerings, and overall improvements in organizational effec-
