IT skills portfolio research in SIGCPR proceedings: analysis, synthesis and proposals

This paper provides an analysis on information technology (IT) skills portfolio issues from the perspective of firms. The motivation behind this study was our observation that firms are having increasing difficulty in determining their optimal skills portfolio and in acquiring and managing that portfolio in turbulent times. Because a shortage of skilled IT professionals with has been a common theme from the early days of computing, we believe that an analysis of past work using the skills portfolio perspective gives us insights into the gaps where future IS research can illuminate this area. First, the paper reviews 102 IT skills portfolio related papers that appeared in the SIGCPR proceedings between 1985 and 2000. Then the thesis of these papers are summarized and classified according to what skills portfolio firms look for and how they acquire and maintain skills. Particular attention is paid to the gaps in the research to date. Finally, a set of research issues and propositions are given based on the analysis.

[1]  R. Ryan Nelson,et al.  Educational Needs as Perceived by IS and End-User Personnel: A Survey of Knowledge and Skill Requirements , 1991, MIS Q..

[2]  Kate M. Kaiser,et al.  User-Analyst Differences: An Empirical Investigation of Attitudes Related to Systems Development1 , 1982 .

[3]  F. Nelson Ford,et al.  Executive or Functional Manager? The Nature of the CIO's Job , 1992, MIS Q..

[4]  M. K. Raja,et al.  Knowledge acquisition skills and traits: A self-assessment of knowledge engineers , 1994, Inf. Manag..

[5]  Eileen M. Trauth,et al.  The IS Expectation Gap: Industry Expectations Versus Academic Preparation , 1993, MIS Q..

[6]  Kailash Joshi,et al.  Application of a matrix approach to estimate project skill requirements , 1995, Inf. Manag..

[7]  Kenneth P. Prager.  Organizational Culture and the it Professional: Matching Individuals and Organizations , 1999, Inf. Syst. Manag..

[8]  Manfred Kochen,et al.  Computer-related labor in the 1980s: Supply and demand , 1984, Inf. Soc..

[9]  Clinton O. Longenecker,et al.  Survival Skills for the IS Professional , 1996, Inf. Syst. Manag..

[10]  Joyce J. Elam,et al.  New Information Systems Leaders: A Changing Role in a Changing World , 1992, MIS Q..

[11]  Gary I. Green,et al.  Perceived Importance of Systems Analysts' Job Skills, Roles, and Non-Salary Incentives , 1989, MIS Q..

[12]  Makoto Nakayama,et al.  Introduction to Research on IT Skill Issues , 2000 .

[13]  D. Kolb.  The learning style inventory: technical manual , 1976 .