Those Who Can, Do, and Those Who Cannot, Teach

The paper explores the relationship between universities and industry and the opportunities available to academics doing research in Information Systems (IS) field in the event of creating and maintaining a successful relationship. In order for such a relationship to stand any chance of success, both parties have to benefit explicitly or the relationship will not be sustainable. It is therefore important to understand the differences and similarities that exist between universities and industry. In this respect the driving forces, focus areas, management styles, metrics, rewards and penalties of universities and industry are explored for similarities and differences. The analysis of a typical day in the life of the IS academic and a day in the life of a Chief Information Officer (CIO), is used to highlight the differences between a typical IS academic (representing university IS teaching and research) and a typical IS practitioner (representing people practising IS in industry). In order for research to be valuable to industry, research needs to be relevant not only in terms of time but also in terms of content and has to be written in a way which is accessible and understandable by the IS practitioner. The dilemma these requirements pose to the IS researcher, is explored in the paper by re-examining the issue of rigor in research versus the relevance. Reference is made to several academic articles on the subject. The paper attempts to identify ways in which the two ‘worlds’ of university and industry can be brought closer together without the IS academic having to sacrifice his/her primary goal of doing research, but, at the same time, to also address the needs, expectations and requirements of the IS practitioner. Opportunities for research and the resultant publication of academic articles stemming from this ‘symbiotic