CIOs should aim high but not for the top

Only a minority of CIOs will make it to the top as CEOs but the wider business role of chief operating officer (COO) is within their grasp, according to a new study.

The research by IT services organisation CSC claims the long-term relationship of the CIO with the business is likely to be defined over the next few years and that innovation holds the key.

If CIOs stay with the same company - especially if it is an information-intensive business - the position of COO should be within their grasp but only a few will ever become CEOs of similar-sized organisations, according to the study.

There appears to be an acceptance by CIOs that there will be no 'next big thing' on the technology horizon. Respondents said it is unlikely any new supplier technology will dramatically reshape the IT landscape within the next few years.

Nanotechnology and biotechnology were highlighted as being the next major trends but both are at least five years away from making a major economic impact, according to the research.

One area of opportunity that CIOs are currently lacking is innovation and CIOs are accused of treating innovation purely as a product-based R&D function, according to the research. It claims IT bosses still seek safety in numbers because of the fear and uncertainty associated with buying technology, with a 'follow the herd' mentality.

A recent silicon.com CIO Jury, however, found a majority of the panel's UK-based IT bosses favoured innovation and a 'no risk, no returns' strategy that aims for high yields.

David Moschella, global research director at CSC's research and advisory services and author of the report, said in a statement: "The CIO's long-term relationship with business innovation is likely to be defined over the next few years, presenting a real opportunity to overcome the negative perceptions and establish the CIO as a true business peer."

Moschella added that while there is no substitute for individual success, CIOs also need to overcome the broader stereotypes that can undermine credibility and develop ways of improving the image and reputation of the CIO profession in general.