Distinguishing Leadership of Information Assurance Teams

157 Pages·2015·1.06 MB·English

Walden University
ScholarWorks
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Collection
2015
Distinguishing Leadership of Information
Assurance Teams
Bamidele Adetokunbo Bankole
Walden University
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Walden University

College of Management and Technology

This is to certify that the doctoral study by

Bamidele A. Bankole

has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects,
and that any and all revisions required by
the review committee have been made.

Review Committee

Dr. Lionel de Souza, Committee Chairperson, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty

Dr. Michael Ewald, Committee Member, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty

Dr. Alen Badal, University Reviewer, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty

Chief Academic Officer
Eric Riedel, Ph.D.

Walden University
2015
Abstract
Distinguishing Leadership of Information Assurance Teams
by
Bamidele A. Bankole

MBA, University of Phoenix, 2005
BS, Bowie State University, 2003

Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Business Administration

Walden University
June 2015
Abstract
Information assurance (IA) projects are essential components of the information
technology industry and often fail due to budget overruns, missed deadlines, and lack of
performance by the project teams. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to
explore the strategies necessary to improve IA project team performance. Lewin’s
situational leadership theory was used as the conceptual framework for this study.
Interviews were conducted with 20 IA professionals located in the Washington, DC
Metropolitan area. The data were transcribed, coded, and clustered for the identification
of common patterns based on the Moustakas’ modified van Kaam analysis. The major
themes that emerged from the interview data included the importance of: communication
and teamwork, technical knowledge, training, hiring of skilled resources, and balanced
project teams. An organization-wide internal training program emerged as an
overarching best practice to improve the leadership strategies within the IA sector. The
study results may help improve project success and grow the IA industry by creating
more jobs.
Distinguishing Leadership of Information Assurance Teams
by
Bamidele A. Bankole

MBA, University of Phoenix, 2005
BS, Bowie State University, 2003

Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Business Administration

Walden University
June 2015
Dedication
First and foremost, I, Bamidele Adetokunbo Bankole dedicate this Doctoral Study
to me. After 5 years of struggling whether to attain a Doctorate Degree or not; I stand in
awe of myself as I have fulfilled one of the biggest academic dreams I have ever had—to
have the “Dr” title beside my name the easy way (easier than attending medical school
anyways). Completing my Doctorate Degree has been a chosen destiny filled with life’s
ups and downs; Nevertheless, I persevered. I give all thanks and glory to my Lord, my
God, my Savior—Jehovah. Without him, I would have never found the grace,
persistence and humility to pursue and complete such a prestigious degree. Thank you
Jesus! Throughout this process, I learned to stay true to my work, know my worth, and
keep diligence at the forefront of my character.
Secondly, I dedicate this Doctoral Study to the mother of all mothers. The source
of my existence and inspiration; My mother, Eunice I. Bankole. As a new mother
myself, it is my hope that I can be as loving, forceful, relentless, ever-praying, ever-
encouraging, strong and compassionate as you are. I can stand here yesterday, today,
tomorrow and forever to state without any doubt whatsoever that you are the best mother
anybody can ever have and I am grateful that God thought me worthy to be your
daughter. Mommy, I love you, I thank you and I appreciate you! E bami duro fun mama
mi………
Thirdly, I dedicate this Doctoral Study to my younger sisters, Tolulope T.
Bankole and Moyosore O. Bankole. I do not know where or how to start thanking them.
Whether I was complaining about a professor or emailing them about a perfect score I
received on one of my seminar course work papers. Regardless of what they were doing,
they dropped all that they were doing to encourage me and gently nudge me along the
way. I can remember a conversation I had with Tolulope stating my frustration halfway
through my Doctorate program. I said “why did I decide to pursue a Doctorate degree?
I was relaxing, going to work, going to the gym, hanging out with my friends for the past
five years—now what have I gotten myself into?” Then Tolulope said, “well sister,
remember that day about a year ago, we were sitting in mommy’s living room and you
said “wouldn’t Dr. Bamidele sound so amazing?” I laughed so hard, but my sense of
purpose for this Doctorate was now refreshed.
Last but definitely not the least, I dedicate this Doctoral Study to the purpose of
my life, my reason for being, and the apple of my eye; my daughter, Lillian U. O.
Bankole-Osadebe. I hope that throughout out your journey of life, I can continue to be an
endless source of inspiration.
Acknowledgements
I will like to acknowledge the most patient, consistent and persistent mentor in the
world—Dr. Lionel de Souza. He tirelessly guided me in assessing the information
assurance industry, took the time to listen to my passion and strategized my research into
the outstanding study it is today. Thank you Dr. de Souza for being my superb first chair,
confidant, therapist, best friend and scholar!
I will like to acknowledge Joy Spencer, Stephanie Davis, Kandice Smith, and
Marie Bakari (the only four women in my life outside of my family who knew I was
pursuing a Doctoral Degree) for their encouragement of my goals; Four awesome
women who are currently making great contribution towards positive social change.
I will like to acknowledge the information assurance industry and its
professionals. It is my passion for this industry that gave me the drive to want to be a
positive contributor in strengthening our field.
Table of Contents
List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v
Section 1: Foundation of the Study ......................................................................................1
Background of the Problem ...........................................................................................2
Problem Statement .........................................................................................................3
Purpose Statement ..........................................................................................................4
Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................5
Research Question .........................................................................................................7
Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................................8
Operational Definitions ................................................................................................10
Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations ..............................................................11
Assumptions .......................................................................................................... 11
Limitations ............................................................................................................ 12
Delimitations ......................................................................................................... 12
Significance of the Study .............................................................................................13
Reduction of Gaps................................................................................................. 13
Implications for Social Change ............................................................................. 14
A Review of the Professional and Academic Literature ..............................................15
Literature Search Strategy..................................................................................... 16
History of the Information Technology Security Industry ................................... 17
The Importance of a Strategic IT Governance Model .......................................... 19
Leading Technical Teams ..................................................................................... 22
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Project Management Spectrum ............................................................................. 24
Subject Matter Expert Spectrum ........................................................................... 26
Sustainability and Information Technology.......................................................... 28
Leadership in Practice ........................................................................................... 30
Conflicts between Technology and Management ................................................. 32
Success Factors of IT Projects .............................................................................. 33
Failure Factors of IT Projects ............................................................................... 35
Leadership Theories .............................................................................................. 37
Literature Related to Research Design and Methodology .................................... 43
Other Phenomenological Based Studies ............................................................... 44
Potential Themes Explored ................................................................................... 45
Transition and Summary ..............................................................................................46
Section 2: The Project ........................................................................................................48
Purpose Statement ........................................................................................................48
Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................49
Participants ...................................................................................................................51
Research Method and Design ......................................................................................53
Research Method .................................................................................................. 54
Research Design.................................................................................................... 56
Population and Sampling .............................................................................................58
Ethical Research...........................................................................................................61
Data Collection Instruments ........................................................................................62
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