The paper is a conventional research paper. The topic of the paper is: “An examination of how the 

CIO influences his/her peers and to whom s/he reports: Advantages and Disadvantages of Reporting 

Alternatives in support of a strategic IT positions”.

For instance, the CIO may report to the CEO, CFO, 

COO or sometimes to an executive board (rare). Think about the pluses and negatives for the IT executive who wants his/her agenda in the planning mix. The paper is not to be a summary. 

Your APA formatted paper has this structure as follows: 

• Title Page 

• Abstract 

• Introduction (This lays out the purpose of the paper and the major themes you will develop)

• Review of literature

• Analysis of the problem

• End matter (if any to include tables/figures/illustrations). This section is labeled “Appendix or Appendices if more 

than one”. Number each and refer to them in the body of the paper (see Appendix A, B so on as applicable.) End matter typically is not necessary in a short paper.

• References- 15 references (all with citations)

Students have asked me if they can shift the focus to a specific organizational setting, such as public 

sector or not-for-profit. Yes. The paper addresses governance and how the placement of an executive 

within the organizational structure effects his/her ability to provide strategic value to that organization.