| The Information Resource Management (IRM) concept has received extensive exposure. However, even with this attention, the concept has remained ambiguous and little empirical research on IRM has been undertaken. This study was conducted in an effort to mitigate the confusion surrounding IRM and establish a foundation upon which further research could be based. The results of this project included a delineation of the domain of IRM, a tested instrument for measuring the extent of IRM implementation in an organizational setting, and a statistical profile of the current state of IRM implementation in Fortune 1000 companies.; The elements which constitute the operational definition of IRM were found to be: a chief information officer, a comprehensive and integrated approach to information technologies, an inclusive information systems/technology planning process that reflects business goals, a comprehensive security program, an enterprise model approach, advisory committees, a data administration function, and an emphasis on end user computing. The extent of IRM implementation is evidenced by the degree to which these attributes are realized in an organization. A measurement instrument, based on the elements of the operational definition of IRM, was developed in this study and the results of a sample of 150 Fortune 1000 firms indicated that the instrument exhibited acceptable properties of reliability and validity. Data from this survey showed that the IRM concept is implemented to some extent in these companies. |
