Information systems management in practice: An empirical study of UK companies

Using the experience of several organisations from the manufacturing and service sectors in the UK, this paper seeks to explore the management efforts put into the successful exploitation of technology. In the context of this study, information systems management (ISM) is defined as the managerial and technical strategies and competencies that significantly improve or add value to the use of information systems within an organisation. Initially, a set of ISM 'competence building blocks' were developed based on an extensive trawl of the literature and existing theories. This was then used to map the practical experiences of the companies concerned. Data collection made use of semi-structured interviews with senior business and IT managers of these companies to elicit their views on ISM issues and particularly to understand how their respective organisations are addressing these issues. Whilst the majority acknowledges that IT is now an inescapable part of doing business (strategic necessity), the importance of its management is not yet fully understood particularly by senior business managers. It would seem that the more competitive and fast moving the environment, the more likely the organisation's management to be supportive and fully committed to the management of IS.