Executive Leadership and its Technical Details: Teaching Approach for Steelscreen.com and Beyond

Authors

Brian Subirana, Center for Coordination Science, MIT Sloan School of Management, One Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA, USAFollow

Document Type

Case

Abstract

In this paper, I contend that executive leaders can and should be prepared to spot timely opportunities and prevent major failures, even if it requires understanding IT technical details. An essential part of executive leadership is exception management - and exceptions occur everywhere, often surfacing first as details, nothing more. Here I present two cases that show technology is no exception. In this paper, I outline how Steelscreen.com 's and RoweCom's early years can illustrate why understanding IT technical details helps explain IT-related failures and successes. In particular, I outline the differences between the two stories and argue that the show stopper for Steelscreen was at its crux a technology detail - the other shortcomings could have been addressed elsewhere. I conclude with some recommendations for executive leaders and a brief outline of a teaching approach suggestion for an MBA or a Senior Executive IT class based on the ideas presented.

DOI

10.1057/palgrave.jit.2000016

Recommended Citation

Subirana, Brian (2004) "Executive Leadership and its Technical Details: Teaching Approach for Steelscreen.com and Beyond," Journal of Information Technology: Vol. 19: Iss. 2, Article 7.
DOI: 10.1057/palgrave.jit.2000016
Available at: https://aisel.aisnet.org/jit/vol19/iss2/7