Title: A fractal perspective on competencies necessary for managing information systems

Authors: Gurpreet Dhillon, Frances Fabian

Addresses: School of Business, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1015 Floyd Avenue, Richmond, VA 23284, USA. ' University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28223-0001, USA

Abstract: In this paper, we present a view of the necessary skill set for managing information technology (IT) in organisations. Our assessment is based on viewing this task as part of managing within a nonlinear complex system. While managing IT in nonlinear complex systems, managers accept that control is neither achievable nor desirable. Rather, IT systems are conceptualised as embodying a fractal quality in which they must be customised to reflect the most essential aspects of the organisation|s business policies. The manager|s job becomes one of assessing whether there is a continued coherence between what the changing organisation is doing and what the system can provide, and thus embodies special abilities of pattern recognition and adaptability.

Keywords: organisational competencies; individual skills; information systems management; chaos theory; fractal phenomena; information technology management; nonlinear complex systems; pattern recognition; coherence attainment; adaptability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2005.006627

International Journal of Technology Management, 2005 Vol.31 No.1/2, pp.129 - 139

Published online: 30 Mar 2005 *

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