Title: Effectiveness drivers for Indian information technology managers: an empirical study

Authors: Yogesh N. Naik; Monika Bisht

Addresses: Research and Innovation Department, IGATE Global Solutions Ltd., A/501, Rustomjee Residency, J.S. Road, Dahisar (West), Mumbai – 400096, Maharashtra, India ' Department of Management, Birla Institute of Technology, A-7, A Block, Sector 1, Noida – 201301, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract: The purpose of this research is to identify the effectiveness drivers contribute to managerial effectiveness in Indian information technology (IT) professionals through empirical study. Effectiveness assessments were administered to 2,080 IT professionals working as technical managers, their respective reporting officers, peers and subordinates. Intended as a comprehensive inquiry into the competencies of technical managers, three factors determined the design: repository of critical competencies through literature, 360 degree feedback on effectiveness attributes and empirical analysis to unearth underlying factor structure for effectiveness. Nineteen variables were found to be contributing to the effectiveness of the IT managers. They belong to competency areas such as technology management, business management, project management, domain know how, emotional intelligence (EI) and the value system. Inferences include emotional intelligence is key to effective management of technical managers; technical ability alone is not enough to be an effective manager; domain and business skills are critical and robust individual value system contributes in achieving effectiveness. Given the growth, uncertainty and rapid change of technology associated with IT industry, findings provide organisations with specific competency development areas for their technology talents. It is expected to provide a guiding force for technology leadership development in times to come.

Keywords: emotional intelligence; technical managers; information technology; managerial effectiveness; India; critical competencies; technology management; business management; project management; domain know how; value systems; IT industry; competency development; technology leadership; leadership development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJICBM.2016.073394

International Journal of Indian Culture and Business Management, 2016 Vol.12 No.1, pp.72 - 91

Received: 12 Dec 2014
Accepted: 22 Jan 2015
Published online: 01 Dec 2015 *

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