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Department Business and Economics

New publication in MIS Quarterly Executive: Structuring digital leadership between CIOs and CDOs

Authors of the research article © TIE Institute
The Institute of Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (TIE) is pleased to announce the publication of the article “Deciding Whether Digital Leadership Requires a CIO or CDO, or Both” by Julie Saesen, Bastian Kindermann, Constantin Schubert, and Steffen Strese in MIS Quarterly Executive.

The article addresses a key challenge faced by many organizations undergoing digital transformation: How should digital leadership be structured? While some companies place digital responsibilities under the CIO, others appoint a Chief Digital Officer (CDO) or adopt a dual CIO/CDO leadership structure.

Drawing on interviews with senior digital executives from multiple industries, the study analyzes different digital leadership models in practice, the tensions that may arise between CIO and CDO roles, and how organizations can effectively structure responsibilities. Based on these insights, the article provides practical recommendations for CEOs, CIOs, and CDOs on how to design digital leadership structures that align innovation initiatives with existing IT capabilities.

As MIS Quarterly Executive focuses on research with direct managerial relevance, the article aims to translate academic insights into actionable guidance for organizations navigating digital transformation.

The article is available here: https://aisel.aisnet.org/misqe/vol25/iss1/6/