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Simon, J. C., Thomas, A., Beath, C., Bullen, C., Gallagher, K., Goles, T., and Kaiser,
K. 2006. “IT Workforce Trends: Implications for IS Programs,” Communications of the AIS (17), pp. 1147-1170.
Findings in an IT workforce study support the emphasis of business content espoused
by IS curriculum guidelines. Business domain and project management skills are critical
to keep in house while technical skills were cited as the top skills sourced. Paradoxically,
technical skills are those cited for entry-level positions. We discuss the issues
raised by these findings and recommend several approaches for IS programs to consider.
IS programs must offer a functionally integrated curriculum and deliver it in an experiential
business context. We provide several examples of innovative pedagogical approaches
and industry alliances which demonstrate mechanisms to provide students with a stronger
business orientation in applying IT. We recommend a more proactive approach to enrollment
including better promotion of IS programs.
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