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Trends in Information Technology Management

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 TRENDS IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT
Gabriel Kabanda
Atlantic International University
900 Fort Street Mall 40
​ Honolulu, Hawaii 96813, USA
http://www.aiu.edu
Email: gabrielkabanda@gmail.com/ profgkabanda@hotmail.com

ABSTRACT
The paper presents an analytical exposition, critical context and integrative conclusion on the trends and
best practices in Information Technology Management, and reviews and evaluates the key issues, trends
and future direction of Modern Information Technology Management. IT is generally accepted as a key
enabler of economic and technological growth.Managers implement new technology to change something:
the organization, the nature of work, relationships with other organizations, or some other facet of
business. Information Technology (IT) plays a vital role in leveraging productivity and efficiency in
private organizations, governments and research. The value of IT in any organization depends on its
infrastructure, which consists of computers, network and telecommunication technologies, data and core
software applications. Information Technology (IT) is now a force and driver of modern technological
development and globalization, and makes the management of information more efficient and effective.
Technology management entails all management activities that determine the application of policy,
objectives and responsibilities as well as their execution in an organization in terms of planning, allocating
resources, organizing and ensuring outcomes that improve processes. The major IT Management issues
are: Using technology to design efficient and effective organizations; Developing a plan for information
technology in the organization; Using IT as a part of corporate strategy; Taking advantage of
interorganizational systems; Deciding on and developing new applications of IT; Reengineering business
processes; Adopting special applications; Changing the organization; Managing the IT infrastructure in a
time of explosive growth and technological change; Deciding whether and what to outsource; and
Deciding how much to invest in IT. Knowledge and skills are a necessary and sufficient condition for
technological progress. Developing countries lack enough skilled IT persons who can design, program,
install, configure and maintain Information Technology in this constantly changing industry. Accordingly,
lack of qualified and globally recognized IT professionals is seriously hampering IT adoption and
development. Management Information Systems refer to information management methods tied to the
automation or support of human decision making, whereas IT Management refers to the IT related
management activities in organizations.

1. ANALYTICAL EXPOSITION
The paper presents an analytical exposition, critical context and integrative conclusion on the
trends and best practices in Information Technology Management, and reviews and evaluates the
key issues, trends and future direction of Modern Information Technology Management. The

1
introduction of computers and communication technologies and their constant improvements
have transformed the way organisations behave and conduct business. The importance of
information technology cannot be over emphasized. Information technology is at the epicenter of
global socio- economic transformation and is a strategic resource and foundation for every
economic activity (Kabanda, G., 2014). According to Stallings, W. (2005), any business that
ignores this fact will fall hopelessly behind in the global race for the competitive edge. While
Stallings, W. (2005)’s assertion is true, developing countries face many challenges in trying to
catch up with global trends and thus they will mostly occupy the tail end in this respect.
Generally African countries are largely end consumers of technology and lag even further behind
in terms of ICT innovations (Kabanda, G., 2014).

Information Technology (IT) is the set of tools for acquisition, processing, storage and
dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based
combination of computing, telecommunications and video. In general IT represents the
convergence of all types of computer equipment, certain electronic (audio and video) equipment,
all types of software for use with computers, telecommunications equipment and software, and
other automation techniques. The term information and communications technology (ICT) is
generally used and usually refers to the integration of information and telecommunication
technology sectors involving their convergence with the media technology sector based on
common digital technology. ICT includes all types of telecommunication and broadcasting
systems and services (wireline, wireless, mobile, satellite), computer hardware, software,
networks and services, content producing and managing multimedia systems (Sallai, G., 2012,
p.6). ICT, therefore, means any communication device, application, or service related to radio,
television, cellular technology, computing, networking, and satellite systems, including services
such as videoconferencing and distance learning. ICT has a tremendous impact on reducing costs
and increasing the quality of management of business processes. Berisha-Shaqiri, A. (2015,
p.166) argued that ICT has gained great importance when it comes to the success and efficiency
of business helping business processes in the following areas:
 Information Technology positively affects the reduction of management costs, because its
application improves the quality of management;
 In addition to revenue growth, ICT facilitates the communication between managers, by
saving time and quality of communication within the enterprise;
 Through internal network and enterprise information the distribution between workers and
managers at the right time and at the same time also affects the growth of their knowledge;
 ICT affects the reduction of workers in occupations where knowledge is not required;
 ICT increases the demand for knowledge workers;
 ICT and the use of computer networks affects revenue growth.

Modern information systems are largely driven by the development of the internet. The internet
revolutionized how the world communicates, stores and accesses information. ‘Faster computers
and cheaper storage are useful in their own right. But the reason that all of these technologies
have had such a massive impact on almost all aspects of life is that these devices are linked so
that information can be distributed and accessed effortlessly from anywhere.’ (World Bank
Report, 2016, p.42). This development has brought with it several issues, positive and negative.
The speed of development of technology has increased exponentially over the last three decades
since the invention of the World Wide Web (WWW) in 1989. The ease of sharing and accessing
information across the globe has enabled technology developers to reduce their development time.
2
The internet brought with it inclusivity, helping to integrate African countries with the rest of the
world digitally. ‘Inclusion for the individual usually means expansion of a market by those on the
other side of the transaction, such as a firm or a government that now serves more citizens’,
(World Bank Report, 2016, p.43).

The practice of technology management requires a better theoretical structure to avoid being
blindsided by new technology (Dolinsek, S., and Strukelj, P., 2012, p.30). In the world of
investments, monies flow in and out of technology-based companies more on the basis of fashion
than on the basis of rational technology analysis. According to Dolinsek, S., and Strukelj, P.
(2012, p.31) technology is a large and growing part of every manager’s daily experience, where
managers develop technology, use technology, buy technology and sell technology. On the
contrary, the common observation is that key management decision makers have inadequate
background and ability to make judgments and forecasts in the area of technology; and without
that ability, their options in utilizing technology in corporate strategy are severely limited.
Technology is addressed in strategic plans only implicitly, except in the case of special endeavors
which are outside the main lines of production. Strategic management of technology and
innovation is a young field and the domains of different in developing nations. Khalil (2012)
cited in Dolinsek, S., and Strukelj, P. (2012, p.32) proposed a conception that any technology
consists of four interdependent, codetermining, and equally important components:
 Hardware: The physical structure and logical layout of the equipment or machinery that is to
be used to carry out the required tasks.
 Software: The knowledge of how to use the hardware in order to carry out the required tasks.
 Brainware: The reasons for using the technology in a particular way.
 Know-how: which covers the skills and technological achievements.

Computers have enhanced the speed and ease of communication between individuals and
companies. Ideas spread quickly and easily, cutting across geographical boundaries at low cost.
Companies save time and money in implementing their strategies as more and more transactions
like sales and purchases are implemented over the phone or on the internet and managers are
quickly aided in their decision making processes. Distributed information processing is used in
most companies for both intra-company and inter-company exchange. Technology has also
improved production in almost every industry in the world. It is used in the health sector in a way
that has saved many lives and improved the quality of life and longevity (Stallings, W., 2005).
Machines now carry out a lot of the work in the industrial and agricultural sectors and have led to
increased outputs. Technology has provided better working environments, reduced human effort
and improved efficiencies. With more technological advances taking place, organisations are able
to store more information in smaller spaces and retrieve information at higher speeds. On the
educational front, technology has improved access to knowledge and enhanced research efforts.
The four types of information namely voice, data, image and video technology are dominating
factors in shaping the competitiveness of enterprises (Gudanowska, A.E.,2017).

Knowledge and skills are a necessary and sufficient condition for technological progress.
Without knowledge and skills, machines, devices and processes of production would be just
some unknown, unuseful, arbitrary and coincidental processes and pieces of material. Knowledge
and skills are fundamental to consistently use machines, devices and processes of production
rationally and effectively. According to Dolinsek, S., and Strukelj, P. (2012, p.35), technology
refers to:
3
 machines and devices that are used in manufacturing (processing), storing and delivering of
material products, energy and information,
 processes (with the use of machinery and devices) of manufacturing (processing), storing
and delivering material products, energy and information,
 devices and their processes that are included as components in final products,
 advanced functional materials,
 most generally, devices that people and organizations use in their activities.

Dolinsek, S., and Strukelj, P. (2012, p.36) introduced a principal relationship between technology
and wealth, which states that by inventing, developing technologies, by using them and by
advancing, improving them, we can:
 produce existing goods more efficiently,
 produce more goods,
 produce better goods,
 produce new goods,
 save labor (though development, maintenance and advancement of technology requires labor)
and increase leisure/spare time,
 make labor easier,
 improve goods,
 make activities easier,
 enable new activities.

How and to what extent a technology contributes to wealth in a society depends on the principles
of the socio-economic order in that society, in which technology is developed, used and advanced.
Technological capability is one of the central elements in the practice of technology management.
Theory in management of technology should therefore pay sufficient attention to this
phenomenon and provide some satisfying results. Technological capability refers to our
capability (capacity) to use technologies (as well as knowledge and skills necessary for their
proper use) in a way that contributes to effective and successful achievement of our purposes.
Technological capability is not the same as technology or as knowledge and skills of how to use
a technology in order to produce a desired product. Technological capability is our
competence/capacity to purposefully use technology and the necessary knowledge and skills
(Dolinsek, S., and Strukelj, P., 2012, p.41). Technological capability refers both to individuals
and organizations/institutions, i.e., an individual as well as an organization/institution can have a
technological capability. According to Gallon et al (1995) cited in Dolinsek, S., and Strukelj, P.
(2012, p.41), technological capabilities are then divided into:
 applied science capabilities (fundamental know-how derived from basic research),
 design and development capabilities (disciplines employed in converting a product idea into
an operational reality),
 manufacturing capabilities (capabilities employed in, or directly supporting, established
manufacturing or operations).

Management of technology links engineering, science and management disciplines to plan,

develop, and implement technological capabilities to shape and accomplish the strategic and
operational objectives of an organization. Managing technology implies managing the systems
that enable the creation, acquisition and exploitation of technology. Management of technology is
organizing, coordinating and leading the use/handling of technology (and technological
4
knowledge and skills) in an organization. According to Dolinsek, S., and Strukelj, P. (2012, p.43),
management of technology involves the following basic activities:
 planning of the use of technology,
 identification, selection and acquisition of technology,
 preparation and introduction of the use of technology,
 implementation, installation and control of the use of technology,
 motivating and maintaining the use of technology.
 technology auditing,
 scanning the technological environment and analyzing technology trends,
 technology forecasting and technology foresight,
 formulation of technology strategy,
 technology transfer,
 technology development.

However, developing countries usually lack the required resources for technological
improvement. Employees need to be trained and retrained with every new breakthrough.
According to Schiller, B.R. (2003), technological advances shrink the labour force while
increasing output. The Behavioural Theory suggests that information systems could change the
hierarchy of decision making thus reducing the need of middle management and clerical support
to distribute information (Kabanda, G., 2019).

The modern practice of management of technology should take the following trends into account:
 production economies of scope are equally important with economies of scale, and
production automation should be appropriately balanced between hard and soft automation
(depending upon product volumes and product lifetimes),
 multi-core-technology product lines will have shorter product life times and should be
planned as generations of products (paced by the most rapidly changing critical technology),
and the organization must be flexibly organized for rapid and correct response,
 world markets and technology are now global, and enterprises should be globally based to
‘think globally and act locally’.

Information Technology Management is concerned with exploring and understanding

Information Technology as a corporate resource that determines both the strategic and
operational capabilities of the firm in designing and developing products and services for
maximum customer satisfaction, corporate productivity, profitability and competitiveness
(Catalin, P., and Alina, P., 2010, p.1). Management Information Systems refer to information
management methods tied to the automation or support of human decision making, whereas IT
Management refers to the IT related management activities in organizations.

Information Technology Management is heavily dependent upon the alignment of technology

and business strategies, and includes considering the value creation that is created through
technology. Technology plays an important role in improving the overall value chain of an
organization, where the value creation for an organization is a network of relationships between
internal and external environments. The IT Manager and the Project Manager have a lot in
Common as both work to achieve organizational goals by directing the activities of people.
According to Catalin, P., and Alina, P. ( 2010, p.2), the IT Manager is responsible for an ongoing
program of IT services, while the Project Manager’s accountability and authority last only for the
5
life of the project. Hence, it is the time-limited nature of projects that makes the role of Project
Manager so important. What every IT Manager needs to know about Project Management is that
there are best practices which when socialized into an organization can greatly enhance the
success of projects. Therefore, adopting Project Management will make the work of effectively
managing change in the IT environment easier and more consistent.

2. CRITICAL CONTEXT
Information Technology (IT) is now a force and driver of modern technological development
and globalization, and makes the management of information more efficient and effective (Ejiaku,
S.A., 2014, p.61). IT is generally accepted as a key enabler of economic and technological
growth. Information Technology has unlimited potential to improve business operations,
education, technology and economic growth. However, this technology could help contribute to
poverty alleviation in developing economies if used to meet local and national needs. Information
Technology (IT) plays a vital role in leveraging productivity and efficiency in private
organizations, governments and research.The value of IT in any organization depends on its
infrastructure, which consists of computers, network and telecommunication technologies, data
and core software applications. Developing countries lack enough skilled IT persons who can
design, program, install, configure and maintain Information Technology in this constantly
changing industry (Ejiaku, S.A., 2014, p.62). Accordingly, lack of qualified and globally
recognized IT professionals is seriously hampering IT adoption and development. Ejiaku, S.A.
(2014, p.63) observed that ineffective government policies, poor infrastructure and inadequate
training and qualification are contributory factors in creating challenges in IT transfer and
adoption in Africa.IT Management must take into cognisance all these challenges and issues,
especially in developing economies. Managers implement new technology to change something:
the organization, the nature of work, relationships with other organizations, or some other facet
of business (Lucas, H.C., 2009, p.x).

Technology management entails all management activities that determine the application of
policy, objectives and responsibilities as well as their execution in an organization in terms of
planning, allocating resources, organizing and ensuring outcomes that improve processes
(Laudon, K.C., and Traver, C.G., 2008). Gudanowska, A.E. (2017), concurs adding that
technology management should take into account the resources available, currently used
technology, the future of the market and the social and economic environments. According to
Kabanda, G., (2019), there are relevant that theories can be used to evaluate the impact of
technology in an organization or country. The first one is the Microeconomic Model which looks
at technology as a factor of production like labour and capital. The Cobb-Douglas production
function is used to explain the relationship between the inputs of labour and capital to produce
the output which can be significantly increased if technology is added as another form of input
(Walsh, C., 2003).

A CEO understands the role and importance of information technology in managing a twenty-
first century organization. Lucas, S.A. (2009, p.7) posits that IT

6
 Provides new ways to design organizations and new organizational structures.
 Creates new relationships between customers and suppliers who electronically link
themselves together.
 Presents the opportunity for electronic commerce, which reduces purchasing cycle times,
increases the exposure of suppliers to customers, and creates greater convenience for buyers.
 Enables tremendous efficiencies in production and service industries through electronic data
interchange to facilitate just-in-time production.
 Changes the basis of competition and industry structure, for example, in the airline and
securities industries.
 Provides mechanisms through groupware for coordinating work and creating a knowledge
base of organizational intelligence.
 Makes it possible for the organization to capture the knowledge of its employees and provide
access to it throughout the organization.
 Contributes to the productivity and flexibility of knowledge workers.
 Provides the manager with electronic alternatives to face-to-face communications and
supervision.
 Provides developing countries with opportunities to compete with the industrialized nations.

Managers delegate tasks and decision making to lower levels of management, and information
systems make data available at the level of management where it is needed to make decisions
(Lucas, S.A., 2009, p.14). Technology-enabled firms feature highly automated production and
electronic information handling to minimize the use of paper and rely extensively on images and
optical data storage. According to Lucas, S.A. (2009, p.15), managers are challenged with
decisions about:
 The use of technology to design and structure the organization.
 The creation of alliances and partnerships that include electronic linkages.
 The selection of systems to support different kinds of workers.
 The adoption of groupware or group-decision support systems for workers who share a
common task.
 Determining a World Wide Web strategy.
 Routine transactions processing systems.
 Personal support systems.
 Reporting and control.
 Automated production processes.
 Embedded products.

Information Technology (IT), demands design, installation, configuration, training and

maintenance of infrastructure (Ejiaku, S.A., 2014). Continuous IT adoption and development, in
varying degrees is necessary in both developing and developed countries because IT is a major
driver of modern technological development and globalization. Watson and Meyers (2001)
identify three major factors that impact on the development of a successful IT industry in a
developed country. These are the extent of IT promotion by governments, the level of research
and development, and the existence of an education system that produces IT literate graduates. In
developing countries, lack of resources to develop IT in their respective countries and a heavy
dependence on foreign aid are important factors that impact on development. Poor basic IT
infrastructure and networks in developing countries also hamper their ability to facilitate
adequate IT transfer, implementation and development.
7
IT brings tremendous changes with resect to the following areas (Lucas, S.A., 2009, p.17):
 Within organizations
Create new procedures, workflows, workgroups, the knowledge base, prod?ucts and services,
and communications.
 Organizational structure
Facilitate new reporting relationships, increased spans of control, local deci?sion rights,
supervision, the formation of divisions, geographic scope, and
"virtual" organizations.
 Interorganizational relations
Create new customer-supplier relations, partnerships, and alliances.
 The economy
Alter the nature of markets through electronic commerce, disintermediation,
new forms of marketing and advertising, partnerships and alliances, the cost
of transactions, and modes of governance in customer-supplier relationships.
 Education
Enhance "on campus" education through videoconferencing, e-mail, electronic meet?ings,
groupware, and electronic guest lectures.
Facilitate distance learning through e-mail, groupware, and videoconferencing.
Provide access to vast amounts of reference material; facilitate collaborative projects
independent of time zones and distance.
 National development
Provide small companies with international presence and facilitate commerce.
Make large amounts of information available, perhaps to the consternation of cer?tain
governments.
Present opportunities to improve education.

Information technology today provides computational and communications capabilities that were
inconceivable a decade ago. A manager has to know enough about technology to take advantage
of the power IT offers. The major IT Management issues, according to Lucas, S.A. (2009, p.20),
are :
 Using technology to design efficient and effective organizations
 Developing a plan for information technology in the organization
 Using IT as a part of corporate strategy
 Taking advantage of interorganizational systems
 Deciding on and developing new applications of IT
 Reengineering business processes
 Adopting special applications
 Changing the organization
 Managing the IT infrastructure in a time of explosive growth and technological change
 Deciding whether and what to outsource
 Deciding how much to invest in IT

Lucas, S.A. (2009, p.135) presented the following strategies to manage Global IT:
 Concentrate on interorganizational linkages
 Establish global systems development skills
 Build an infrastructure
8
 Take advantage of liberalized telecommunications
 Strive for uniform data
 Develop guidelines for shared versus local systems

Due to rapid technological changes, we now witness a phenomenal growth of global companies.
A global company should have the following features:
 Treats the world as a single market.
 More products sold outside the home country than within the home country.
 Worldwide sourcing of customers, employees, suppliers and technology--sourcing with a
total dis?regard for national boundaries

Technology management is an emerging field that combines multiple disciplines and can be
defined in terms of identification, selection, acquisition, and exploitation as an ongoing process.
Organizational performance is influenced by how strategies are implemented and the role
technology plays in creating sustainable business models. Organizations learning to manage
technology with internal and external sources and competing in complex and technological
environments reach a critical point in obtaining knowledge. Management of technology
education covers strategic management, project management, R&D management, new product
development, innovation management, entrepreneurship, and information management. These
types of management are interconnected and interdependent on each other. Processing and
storage capacities are rising exponentially, and knowledge is becoming accessible to more people
than ever before in human history. The future holds an even higher potential for human
development as the full effects of new technologies such as the Internet of Things, artificial
intelligence, 3-D Printing, energy storage, and quantum computing unfold.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the biggest areas of focus for future technology development.
To make execution of tasks faster, simpler and cheaper, organisations are continuously exploring
ways of enabling machines to do more and more of what humans currently do. This has the
impact of reducing operational costs in the long run, while at the same time eliminating the need
for some jobs held by humans. ‘Machines are becoming smarter in that they can learn how to
solve problems. One such system is a neural network, which is used to alert you that your credit
card may have been used unlawfully,’ (Cummings, M., 2012). Neural networks develop trends or
patterns of user behaviour over time. When activity that is outside the normal pattern is detected,
the neural network raises an alarm. These systems are growing in use in many different fields and
will provide greater support to human beings in rapid decision making. As much as these
developments positively impact MIS, they also affect people’s cultures, raise legal questions in
some areas and possibly national security concerns.

Terabytes of data are being created everyday globally, what is being referred as Big Data, and its
storage and management is becoming increasingly complex with time. Its analysis and
subsequent use has legal implications when it involves third parties. Lawyers will increasingly be
burdened with the responsibility of determining what is legal and what is not from a privacy
point of view. Banks across the world are setting up Compliance departments to manage among
other issues, the collection, storage and usage of stakeholder information. It is the job of the
Compliance department to ensure that MIS is in place to filter such clients from receiving
international banking services that may result in heavy fines being imposed on the institution for
violation.
9
Rainer, R.K. (2012)states that the following are the emerging technologies of the future:
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, Financial Technology (FinTech)
and Quantum Computing. The Internet of Things (IoT) is growing phenomenally. Almost any
object that has some form of electrical current flowing through it will in future have sensors
installed. These sensors will be linked to some system via the internet for various purposes, ‘the
rapid increase of placing sensors on all objects (animate and inanimate) is leading to a sense-and-
respond environment’, (Rainer, R.K., 2012).

Blockchain, or Distributed-ledger technology is developing into many areas of business, the most
common currently is Cryptocurrency. This is disrupting the traditional regulated financial
services system. This is an unregulated financial currency with no geographical jurisdiction as
well. Most people are still sceptical about cryptocurrencies, governments are concerned about
how it cannot be regulated, thereby making it difficult to deal with money-laundering, terrorism
financing and sanctions busting transactions. This increases the need for organisations to closely
monitor how these developments will impact them.

For decades, digital computing has been about bits which are either a ‘0’ or a ‘1’. Quantum
Computing uses quantum bits (qubits), which can exist in any superposition of these values. It is
still in its infancy, but the potential will provide a significant increase in computing speeds and
vary computing parameters further without being limited to two states of ‘1’ and ‘0’. Quantum
computing is helping to improve other advanced technologies, such a Genetic Algorithms. These
two have been combined to produce Quantum Genetic Algorithms (QGA), ‘The efficiency of
QGA is significantly better than the conventional genetic algorithm. The QGA is with a small
value of the population, a fast speed of convergence, a great capability of global optimization,
and a good robustness’, (Wang, H., et al, 2013, p.1). as digital was a revolutionary development
from analogue, quantum computing, once completely figured out, will be just as revolutionary
from digital.

Sakovich, N. (2018), and Weldon, D. (2018), identify the following technological developments
for 2019 and beyond:
1) Cloud Computing - According to Sakovich, N. (2018), more and more enterprises will have
computing infrastructure in the cloud. The trend will actually lean towards the use of multi-
clouds. With increased IT spending, there will be more breakthroughs in mobile internet
which will affect cloud computing and stimulate other innovations.
2) Artificial Intelligence (AI) - AI will expand its presence in many sectors, making its way
into more homes and offices and will be integrated in transport systems, healthcare, finance
and education. AI will reshape the labour market causing some professions to disappear and
new relevant ones to appear (Sakovich, N., 2018).
3) 5th Generation Wireless (5G) - New generation networks and 5G smartphones are expected
to bring broadband download speeds over mobile networks and provide 10x faster internet
services than 4G. According to Sakovich, N. (2018), the use of new generation networks will
be much wider with 5G providing impetus for further developments.
4) Internet of Things - This the network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances and
10
 many other items embedded with electronics, software sensors actuators and connectivity
which enable these objects to connect and exchange data.
5) Automation - There will be widespread use of technology by which procedures are
performed without human assistance. These include self-driven cars and robotic surgery.
6) Drones – These unmanned air vehicles or autonomous aircrafts are already being used for
military surveillance and accident monitoring in developed countries.
7) Augmented reality(AR) / Virtual reality (VR) – AR is a direct or indirect live view of a
physical, real world environment. VR is a computer-generated scenario that simulates a
realistic experience.
8) 3D Printing – This is a process where materials are joined or solidified under computer to
create three- dimensional objects.
9) Biometrics – Future trends will include the wide spread of biometrics or realistic
authentication as a form of identification and access control.
10) Blockchain – This an information storage system for continuously growing number of
records called blocks , which are linked and secured using cryptography.
11) Quantum Computers – This is computing using quantum mechanical phenomena such as
superposition and entanglement to achieve unprecedented levels of speed.

3. INTEGRATIVE CONCLUSION
The paper presented an analytical exposition, critical context and integrative conclusion on the
trends and best practices in Information Technology Management, and reviewed and evaluated
the key issues, trends and future direction of Modern Information Technology Management.
Ejiaku, S.A., (2014) calls for involvement of government by introducing favourable policies,
making more training efforts and leading by example in the diffusion and adoption of
information technology developments. The private sector can also fully engage in the
technological development efforts to enable their countries to experience the benefits that the
developed countries are enjoying. The Agency Theory is the third theory that analyses the impact
of technology suggesting that one company can introduce new ways of handling transactions and
be the nexus or connection point with other smaller players in the market. This will expand the
range of services thus perpetuating technology (Kabanda, G., 2019). An example of this in
Zimbabwe is Econet which engaged many small players by developing several Ecocash outlets
around Zimbabwe to make themselves the leading player in their arena. This same product,
Ecocash led to ventures into other new products, within the organization, like Ecosure, Ecosure,
Ecocash-Savings club and Ecocash Diaspora. Ecocash enables many transactions including the
instant payment of utilities, groceries and other commodities and transfers of cash.

Information Technology (IT) is the set of tools for acquisition, processing, storage and
dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based
combination of computing, telecommunications and video. The major IT Management issues,
according to Lucas, S.A. (2009, p.20), are :
 Using technology to design efficient and effective organizations
 Developing a plan for information technology in the organization
 Using IT as a part of corporate strategy
 Taking advantage of interorganizational systems

11
  Deciding on and developing new applications of IT
 Reengineering business processes
 Adopting special applications
 Changing the organization
 Managing the IT infrastructure in a time of explosive growth and technological change
 Deciding whether and what to outsource
 Deciding how much to invest in IT

Lucas, S.A. (2009, p.135) presented the following strategies to manage Global IT:
 Concentrate on interorganizational linkages
 Establish global systems development skills
 Build an infrastructure
 Take advantage of liberalized telecommunications
 Strive for uniform data
 Develop guidelines for shared versus local systems

Information Technology Management is concerned with exploring and understanding

Information Technology as a corporate resource that determines both the strategic and
operational capabilities of the firm in designing and developing products and services for
maximum customer satisfaction, corporate productivity, profitability and competitiveness
(Catalin, P., and Alina, P., 2010, p.1). Management Information Systems refer to information
management methods tied to the automation or support of human decision making, whereas IT
Management refers to the IT related management activities in organizations.

ICT has gained great importance when it comes to the success and efficiency of business helping
business processes in the following areas:
 Information Technology positively affects the reduction of management costs, because its
application improves the quality of management;
 In addition to revenue growth, ICT facilitates the communication between managers, by
saving time and quality of communication within the enterprise;
 Through internal network and enterprise information the distribution between workers and
managers at the right time and at the same time also affects the growth of their knowledge;
 ICT affects the reduction of workers in occupations where knowledge is not required;
 ICT increases the demand for knowledge workers;
 ICT and the use of computer networks affects revenue growth.

The modern practice of management of technology should take the following trends into account:
production economies of scope are equally important with economies of scale, and production
automation should be appropriately balanced between hard and soft automation (depending upon
product volumes and product lifetimes), multi-core-technology product lines will have shorter
product life times and should be planned as generations of products (paced by the most rapidly
changing critical technology), and the organization must be flexibly organized for rapid and
correct response, world markets and technology are now global, and enterprises should be
globally based to ‘think globally and act locally’.

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Information Technology (IT) is now a force and driver of modern technological development and
globalization, and makes the management of information more efficient and effective. IT is
generally accepted as a key enabler of economic and technological growth.

Managers implement new technology to change something: the organization, the nature of work,
relationships with other organizations, or some other facet of business. Technology management
entails all management activities that determine the application of policy, objectives and
responsibilities as well as their execution in an organization in terms of planning, allocating
resources, organizing and ensuring outcomes that improve processes (Laudon, K.C., and Traver,
C.G., 2008). Information Technology (IT) plays a vital role in leveraging productivity and
efficiency in private organizations, governments and research.The value of IT in any organization
depends on its infrastructure, which consists of computers, network and telecommunication
technologies, data and core software applications. Management of technology education covers
strategic management, project management, R&D management, new product development,
innovation management, entrepreneurship, and information management.

Knowledge and skills are a necessary and sufficient condition for technological
progress.Developing countries lack enough skilled IT persons who can design, program, install,
configure and maintain Information Technology in this constantly changing industry (Ejiaku,
S.A., 2014, p.62). Accordingly, lack of qualified and globally recognized IT professionals is
seriously hampering IT adoption and development. Managers delegate tasks and decision making
to lower levels of management, and information systems make data available at the level of
management where it is needed to make decisions (Lucas, S.A., 2009, p.14). Technology-enabled
firms feature highly automated production and electronic information handling to minimize the
use of paper and rely extensively on images and optical data storage.

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