Agent Theory Based Multiple Case Study of Government CIO on IT Procurement

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) assumes overall responsibility and accountability for all IT initiatives within organizations, encompassing IT procurement. IT procurement is an indispensable requirement of IT programs and developments, particularly in the context of delivering public services. This paper is part of a comprehensive study investigating the impact of IT procurement in government on the failures of IT projects. Employing a multiple case study methodology, the research aims to analyze the challenges and failures encountered in IT projects and the difficulties in sustaining them, while examining the behaviors and principles demonstrated by Government CIOs through the lens of the Principal-Agent Theory. In a qualitative inquiry involving various Philippine government offices engaged in extensive IT procurement, it becomes evident that certain gaps emerge due to adverse selection stemming from moral hazards and hidden characteristics. The study reveals instances of opportunism for personal gain, as well as associations with particular brands and vendors, both of which exert a detrimental influence on the quality and cost of an IT project.