On the Co-Evolution of Information Technology and Information Systems Personnel

Author(s)

Fred Niederman, Saint Louis University
Thomas W. Ferratt, University of DaytonFollow
Eileen M. Trauth, The Pennsylvania State University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-2016

Publication Source

The Data Base for Advances in Information Systems

Abstract

This essay addresses changes in information systems (IS) personnel and information technology over the past seven decades (1950s-2010s). A co-evolutionary perspective guides the discussion and emphasizes the mutual influence of changes in technology and IS personnel. The review considers (1) major eras of technical innovation and the steady expansion of the boundary that includes IS personnel; (2) the cyclical nature of a surge of needed technical skills with each technical innovation, a growing "shielding" of end users from the details of operationalizing the technology, and growth of end user domain application skills; and (3) implications for the education of IS personnel.

Inclusive pages

29-50

ISBN/ISSN

0095-0033

Document Version

Published Version

Comments

Permission documentation is on file.

Copyright

Copyright © 2016, Fred Niederman, Thomas Ferratt, and Eileen Trauth, ACM.

Publisher

Association for Computing Machinery

Volume

47

Issue

1

Peer Reviewed

yes

eCommons Citation

Niederman, Fred; Ferratt, Thomas W.; and Trauth, Eileen M., "On the Co-Evolution of Information Technology and Information Systems Personnel" (2016). MIS/OM/DS Faculty Publications. 57.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/mis_fac_pub/57