The evolution of IT leadership

Information technologies (IT) have been playing an essential role in organizations for more than 50 years. While IT was initially used in the back offices of organizations for efficiency purposes, IT has become increasingly valuable for the business side, resulting in a strategic role of IT over time. To ensure that IT systems are operated efficiently and the opportunities offered by IT are embraced effectively, its management requires a systematic approach, i.e., appropriate IT leadership. However, due to the dynamic advancement of technologies, the concepts of IT leadership are subject to change. This article illustrates the evolution of IT leadership from its beginnings to the present day to shed light on the different developments. A particular focus is on how IT leaders capture value in their organizations. Finally, based on these considerations, an outlook on the further evolution of IT leadership is given.