Researchers from the School of Information Management, A/Prof Gillian Oliver and Dr Jocelyn Cranefield, are overseeing New Zealand's participation in the World IT Project

Two Victoria Business School researchers are leading New Zealand's involvement in a landmark, worldwide research project into the IT industry.

Dr Jocelyn Cranefield and Associate Professor Gillian Oliver from the School of Information Management will be joined by Dr Zlatko Kovacic of the Open Polytechnic to oversee New Zealand's participation in the World IT Project.

They are among 87 researchers from 47 countries who will assist in conducting nationwide surveys designed to identify and examine critical IT issues faced by firms and their employees.

Dr Cranefield, who is leading the New Zealand research, says she is delighted to work alongside world-class researchers for a project that will not only provide valuable information on the worldwide state-of-play and enable international comparisons, but also allow for country-specific analysis.

"The study will provide us the opportunity to better understand issues facing New Zealand's IT profession, and find out what, if anything, is distinct about our IT culture," says Dr Cranefield.

"It will also allow New Zealand, along with other countries that have been historically underrepresented in studies of the IT industry, to gain an equal voice in the global research conversation."

The New Zealand survey began this week and Dr Cranefield and A/Prof Oliver hope to survey IT professionals across industries and from a range of organisation types and sizes.

A/Prof Oliver says the project will help improve infrastructure for international mobility of IT professionals, and also highlight where recruitment priorities could be directed.

"IT professionals are everywhere and represented in every type of industry sector, public and private," she says.

"By contributing to a worldwide project, we'll get a better understanding of a range issues faced by IT professionals, which will in turn help companies, countries and individuals address industry challenges, develop more effective IT strategies, inform policy-making and foster inter-governmental cooperation to facilitate international business."

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