Enterprise information asset management: the roles and responsibilities of executive boards

Abstract

In the modern organisation the effective management of data, information, content and knowledge is crucial for enhancing competitiveness and growth. There is a profound need for all levels of business management to understand the risks, challenges and business benefit of managing these ‘Information Assets’. This paper describes the results of qualitative empirical research to investigate the roles and responsibilities of Executive Boards to ensure effective management and governance of Information Assets. Personal interviews were conducted with Board members in Australia and the United States. The results indicated that Boards often fail to fully appreciate the strategic value of Information Assets and do not understand the organisational risk and untapped business benefit resulting from ineffective Information Asset Management practices. This paper suggests that Executive Boards should be engaged in discussions about Information Management and fulfil strategic-, control- and institutional roles to guide the way Information Assets are managed and deployed.

Keywords:

• Information Assets
• Information Asset Management
• Enterprise Information Asset Management
• governance
• Executive Boards

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nina Evans

About the Authors

Nina Evans is Associate Head of the School of ITMS at the University of South Australia in Adelaide. She holds tertiary qualifications in Chemical Engineering, Education and Computer Science, as well as a Masters in Information Technology, an MBA and a Ph.D. Her teaching and research interests are in the areas of knowledge management, IT management and corporate social responsibility. She publishes in numerous academic journals and delivered presentations at international conferences and industry workshops.

James Price is the Founder and Managing Director of Experience Matters. The firm is based in Adelaide, Australia and takes a position of global leadership in the business aspects of Information Management. He does research in the field of Information Asset Management and is currently working on a project investigating various aspects of IAM on three continents