Issues in the Transition to CIO Role in the Public Sector of Developing Countries

The chief information officer (CIO) is pivotal in enabling public sector organizations of developing countries to gain the full potential of information and communication technologies. Extant literature studied important aspects related to CIOs, such as competencies, roles, and relationship with CEO, yet it is fragmented and insufficiently comprehensive to offer an effective pathway or model to guide the transition to the CIO role. Studies on how public organizations in developing countries can create a transition to accommodate CIOs in their existing structures are necessary. This research, based on secondary data, identifies key issues that delineate the transition to CIO role anchored in institutional theory and the context of developing countries, including perceived organizational readiness, human capacity, strategic orientation, and organizational culture. Their interrelationships with proper institutional interventions and adaptation to contextual characteristics establish the foundation for a process map for the transition to the CIO role.