A trend toward more centralized information technology (IT) management

Carl R. Adams, Eric C. Larson, Weidong Xia

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Prevailing research on IT governance suggests that a large and increasing majority of multi-divisional organizations utilize a federal model of organization. Contingencies that influence a choice of centralized, decentralized or federal model include the organizational structure, business unit scope and the absorptive capacity of the business unit (Sambamurthy & Zmud 1999). Given the attention to flexibility and responsiveness in a sense and respond world, one would expect that flatter organizations, more diverse business unit scope and improved absorptive capacity lead to the predominance of federal and decentralized models of IT governance. Surprisingly, the results of our survey study of large, multibusiness unit companies shows a strong majority of CIO respondents describing their structure as centralized and desiring it to become even more so. Given our recent interactions with IT organizations and our empirical findings, we develop a generalized explanation that integration is a dominating force driving a more centralized approach to IT governance.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAssociation for Information Systems - 13th Americas Conference on Information Systems, AMCIS 2007
Subtitle of host publicationReaching New Heights
Pages2870-2882
Number of pages13
StatePublished - 2007
Externally publishedYes
Event13th Americas Conference on Information Systems, AMCIS 2007 - Keystone, CO, United States
Duration: Aug 10 2007Aug 12 2007

Publication series

NameAssociation for Information Systems - 13th Americas Conference on Information Systems, AMCIS 2007: Reaching New Heights
Volume4

Other

Other13th Americas Conference on Information Systems, AMCIS 2007
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityKeystone, CO
Period8/10/078/12/07

Keywords

  • Centralization
  • Decentralization
  • Federal model
  • It governance

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computer Science Applications
  • Computer Networks and Communications
  • Information Systems
  • Library and Information Sciences

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A trend toward more centralized information technology (IT) management'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this