Educating the Business Information Technologist

Abstract

The ways in which computers have been applied to business have evolved over the past 40 years. In the commonly accepted three-era model of applied computing, the first era focused on automating processes, and the second on providing management information. The current era embraces information technology (IT) as a strategic resource and critical asset of the organization (Jessup & Velacich, 1999; Ward & Griffiths, 1996; and others). IT is a transformation enabler or driver that allows organizations to meet both their short-term and long-term objectives. Under this latter model, organizations expect IT to create new ways to compete, new products, new processes, new marketing channels, and even new organizational forms that promote “better-faster-cheaper.” Strategic IT thus provides an anchor for competitive advantage—enabling the efficiencies, innovation, market expansion, speed, and alliances that differentiate one company from another.