Chapter 4 Managing the Information Technology Resource 1
Chapter 4
The Role of the CIO
True-False Questions
1.
The title of Chief Information Officer may also be known as Director of Information
Technology or Vice President of Information Systems as long as the roles and
responsibilities are similar.
2.
The roles and responsibilities of the CIO require technological skills only.
3.
A responsibility of the Chief Information Officer is to participate in the development of
corporate strategies.
4.
According to Ross and Feeney, there is a multi-way relationship between a CIO and the three
forces of executive attitudes, dominant suppliers, and the changing application’s portfolio.
5.
During the mainframe era of computing, the role of the CIO was primarily that of business
strategy enabler.
6.
During the mainframe era of computing, the role of the CIO was primarily that of operational
manager.
7.
During the distributed era of computing, the role of the CIO was primarily that of operational
manager.
8.
The majority of CIOs and IT executives come from a business background.
4 Managing the Information Technology Resource
9.
Generally, the CIO is the most senior IT executive and always reports to an executive within
the financial function.
10.
The CIO must report to the CEO to be effective.
11.
As an IT manager moves up the organizational ranks, the importance of their technical skills
as well as their interpersonal skills declines.
12.
As an IT manager moves up the organizational ranks, the importance of their interpersonal
skills increases.
13.
At the supervisor level of the IT managerial skill mix, the importance of technical skills is
primary.
14.
At the executive level of the IT managerial skill mix, the primary role is one of a peer
manager or partner with the other executives in obtaining the organizational objectives.
15.
The primary focus of people who are leaders is on getting things done, not with doing things.
Multiple Choice Questions
16.
Each of the following is considered a job requirement of a CIO except:
a. technical development of systems.
b. development of corporate strategy.
c. facilitating change.
d. managing external contractors, vendors, partners.
Chapter 4 Managing the Information Technology Resource 3
17.
According to Ross and Feeney, the following are all forces in influencing the CIO role and
responsibilities except:
a. executive attitudes.
b. application portfolio.
c. dominant suppliers.
d. staff attitudes.
18.
Which of the following best describes the primary role of the CIO during the mainframe era
a. rganizational designer
b. perational manager
d. nformed buyer
e. echnology architect
19.
Each of the following were major roles of the CIO during the distributed era except:
a. organizational designer.
b. operational manager.
c. informed buyer.
d. technology architect.
20.
According to the majority of both IS and on-IS executives surveyed by Luftman and Brier,
which one of the following is considered the number one qualification for a CIO:
a. knowledge of applying IT to business.
b. technical awareness.
c. innovation.
d. general business knowledge.
21.
According to practicing CIOs, which of the following is considered the top current concern
facing them?:
a. iInter-relationship concerns.
b. lLooking for a position in another firm.
c. eEnhancing customer satisfaction.
d. lLearning new technical skills.
22.
Each of the following views represents a perception of IT as an asset except:
a. the CEO sees IT as having a role in the transformation of the business.
b. the CIO is positioned as a specialist functional manager.
c. IT thinking is subsumed within business thinking.
d. IT efforts are focused on a few key initiatives.
23.
Each of the following views represent a perception of IT as a liability except:
a. the CEO sees IT as having a role in the transformation of the business.
b. the CIO is positioned as a specialist functional manager.
c. IT plans are made by specialists or missionary zealots.
d. many IT applications are under development.
24.
Each of the following is considered a demonstrable belief in IT by the CEO except:
a. the CEO sends signals about the positive value of IT.
b. there is a core group of business priorities that drive the need for the continuous
enhancement of the technology infrastructure.
c. there is a one-way relationship between the CEO and CIO whereby the CEO directs the
CIO as to which technologies to invest in.
d. there is a context of change in the organization that supports the need for successful
exploitation of technology.
25.
Each of the following is considered a nontechnology related skill that is important to a CIO’s
job except:
a. financial skills.
b. systems analysis skills.
c. relationship management skills.
d. marketing skills.
26.
Which of the following best describes the most important type of skill for executive-level IT
management?:
a. iInterpersonal skills
b. tTechnical skills
c. aAdministrative and conceptual skills
d. bBusiness skills
Chapter 4 Managing the Information Technology Resource 5
27.
Which of the following best describes the primary role of executive-level IT management?:
a. bBusiness partner
b. mManager entrepreneur
c. mMarketing
d. tTechnical
28.
Which of the following best describes a management skill rather than a leadership skill
a. ligning people
b. otivating people
c. stablishing direction
d. roblem solving
29.
Which of the following best describes a leadership skill rather than a management skill?:
a. aAligning people
b. pProblem solving
c. sStaffing
d. bBudgeting
30.
Each of the following is considered a fundamental characteristic of leadership except:
a. a leader has willing followers.
b. a leader has influence based on relationships.
c. not everyone will follow a leader’s initiative.
d. a leader focuses on doing things rather than getting things done.
Fill In the Blanks
31.
Three forces that influence the CIO role are executive attitudes, applications portfolio and
32.
During the mainframe computing era, the role of the CIO position was primarily that of a(n)
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33.
The computing era in which the primary role of the CIO position was that of an operational
34.
referred to as the distributed era
The computing era in which the role of the CIO became more concerned with IT structure is
strategic partner with the business is referred to as the distributed era.
Reference: p. 98
35.
The computing era in which the role of the CIO became more concerned with being a
Reference: p. 101
36.
Current statistics indicate that the majority of CIOs and IT executives come from a(n)
37.
The CIOs ability to add value is the biggest single factor in determining whether an
Reference: p. 101
organization views IT as an asset or a liability.
is their top current concern.
Reference: p. 101
Reference: p. 103
larger-scale development projects.
Reference: p. 104
responsibilities.
The number one requirement for the position of Chief Information Officer is leadership.
Reference: p. 109
Reference: p. 109
manager is referred to as the mainframe era.
Reference: p. 98
technical skills.
Reference: p. 110
interpersonal skills.
Reference: p. 110
administration and conceptual skills.
Reference: p. 110
Essay Questions
46.
Describe the four major roles of the CIO that emerged during the distributed computing era.
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47.
List and discuss five attributes that seem to contribute to the CIO’s effectiveness.
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48.
Discuss the “mix” of skills required for an IT manager as he or she moves up the managerial
ladder from supervisor to executive.
49.
Describe the differences between leaders and managers in terms of vision, strategies, plans,
and budgets.
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50.
List and briefly describe five tips a new CIO should consider when arriving at
his or her new position.
Chapter 4 Managing the Information Technology Resource 11