New Information Systems Leaders: A Changing Role in a Changing World
Authors: Applegate, Lydia; Elam, Joyce
Journal: MIS Quarterly (1991)
DOI: 10.2307/249732
It is widely argued that the information systems (IS) leadership function has undergone fundamental changes over the past decade. To better understand the changes, this study compares the backgrounds, responsibilities, reporting relationships, and power of newly appointed IS executives (who had been in their position for two years or less) with established IS executives (who had been in their position for five years or more). The study found that approximately half of the new IS executives were external hires, whereas almost all of the established IS executives were promoted from within the company. More than two-thirds of the new IS executives had more than five years’ experience managing a non-IS function within the past 15 years. Established IS executives had spent the majority of their career within the IS function. The activities receiving the most attention from new IS executives were information technology (IT) strategic planning and control, IT architecture management and standards development, and human resource management. For established IS executives, the activities receiving the most attention were IT architecture management and standards development, human resource m…