Communication Processes of Information Technology Executives in Higher Education

This article seeks to explain the key variables of internal communication processes of information technology executives, specifically chief information officers (CIOs), at higher education institutions. By understanding the key variables that influence the IT communication process, leaders and administrators, such as the CIO, can better communicate with their stakeholders leading to a successful, technology-integrated organization. While others have sought to model this business-IT relationship using communication as one part of a model, this study focuses upon only the CIO communication process adding value to current information technology management literature. This exploratory pilot article offers empirical insights about how CIOs communicate within their own team and up through the executive ranks of an organization. It suggests that CIOs can be divided into two categories; these two categories, keying off of communication variables, appear to directly affect the ultimate success or failure regarding the integration of technology into the mission and vision of the organization.