Enterprise information asset management: the roles and responsibilities of executive boards

In the modern organisation the effective management of data, information, content and knowledge is crucial for enhancing competitiveness and growth. There is a profound need for all levels of business management to understand the risks, challenges and business benefit of managing these ‘Information Assets’. This paper describes the results of qualitative empirical research to investigate the roles and responsibilities of Executive Boards to ensure effective management and governance of Information Assets. Personal interviews were conducted with Board members in Australia and the United States. The results indicated that Boards often fail to fully appreciate the strategic value of Information Assets and do not understand the organisational risk and untapped business benefit resulting from ineffective Information Asset Management practices. This paper suggests that Executive Boards should be engaged in discussions about Information Management and fulfil strategic-, control- and institutional roles to guide the way Information Assets are managed and deployed.