There continues to be a divide between the information systems function and the expectations of management, according to a survey of senior European information technology executives carried out by CSC Index. Alignment between information systems objectives and corporate goals is the primary issue of concern, and it has been among the top four issues for the past four years. The respondents cite the development of a strategic plan for information systems as the second most important issue, closely followed by improving the human resource aspect of information systems and using data. The last is one of three issues that has new-found importance, as compared with last year’s results, along with creating an information architecture, improving leadership skills, and promoting the function of information systems. Only the financial sector is unaffected by the recession in terms of investment, with an increase of 11.3% for banks and financial services and 9.6% for insurance. The survey suggests that levels of investment in these areas is maintained because of the need to update transaction processing systems and provide better decision support and accounting, all areas closest to the customer. The average projected budget growth for European companies in 1992 is 5.1%, down from 9.1% last year. CSC Index questioned senior information executives in 122 firms doing $250m-a-year or more.
