Access to knowledge created by information technology vendors and client staff work performance

The Government Account Office (GAO) has reported that several unsuccessful public information technology projects failed due to inadequate and ineffective technical management oversight provided by the information technology (IT) managers and professionals tasked with that function. This study examined the relationship between the availability of vendor-created knowledge and the performance of the organization's IT managers and functional professionals. It also provided recommendations on ways to address the issue. Five research questions were developed to seek responses on the issue of access to vendor-created knowledge and staff capability in developing request for proposals (RFPs), providing effective oversight, and setting future IT direction and goals. To provide flexibility in examining this complex issue, this was a mixed method study. Twenty participants comprising both client and vendor staff took part in the study. Data were collected through a survey questionnaire and an interview of the participants. Frequency and percentages were used to analyze the Likert scale responses, while open coding category, content, and inductive analysis were used to analyze the interview data collected. The results from the findings indicated that the client staff performance is negatively impacted because of their remoteness to the vendor-created knowledge. The conclusion included recommendations for an effective governance system to supplement existing contract oversight functions. Identifying and correcting this problem early will help save costs and create IT systems that will enhance government delivery of technical and social services to the public.