Chief Information Officer: A Case Study

Unum is seeking a chief information officer (CIO) who can fill the void left by the previous two officers. Ideally, the company wants someone who can implement the programs outlined by the CIO who left most recently (Best), but who did not actually implement the programs he outlined. There are challenges and opportunities confronting Unum at this point in that the company could recruit a CIO who would bring a unique IS viewpoint to the organization given the environment in which it operates, but the company has stated that it does not want additional change associated with the IS department. This is symptomatic of a company which refuses to recognize that its IS department has not yet been made an effective tool of the organization. Until the company acknowledges that neither of the two preceding CIOs created an IS department which served the needs of the organization, it is unlikely that Unum will find a CIO who can meet the company's objectives.

At this point, the problem that Unum faces is not finding a CIO; the search for that position is a symptom. Instead, the fundamental problem that Unum faces is developing a long-term IS strategy which the entire company understands and endorses, and which can provide a blueprint for anyone who follows in the role of CIO. While Alexander created an IS department which used current technology, he did so with an eye on technology, not on how that techn

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ee that the candidate would be interested or qualified for this position. Rationale for Selected Solution The selected alternative is to have the acting CIO move into the position of CIO, and then seek to fill the assistant position. This provides the greatest amount of stability to the company, and also ensures that the company will be able to implement the IS strategy already in place. Regardless of who is selected to fill the CIO position, Unum needs to formalize the IS plan and provide all employees with a thorough understanding of the plan's points. This will ensure that the company has the greatest opportunity for success with the new plan, and that the plan is in accordance with the company's overall objectives. Implementation Plan An offer should be made to the acting CIO at the earliest possible juncture. If an outside CIO is hired, that person should be given the opportunity to implement an IS vision as he/she sees fit and not forced to implement the IS strategy of Alexander and Best. Identification of Problems, Opportunities and Symptoms Merck is one of the most successful and profitable companies in the world, but its financial situation is not the same as many multinational organizations. Where multinatio
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Approximate Word count = 1478
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)

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