In an interesting recent post appeared @ InfoWorld (link), Ephriam Schwartz discusses why IT management is more cautious about globalization and outsourcing than non-IT portions of an organization.

A recent survey (The Benefits and Challenges of Globalization) of enterprise executives has found that -- not surprisingly -- IT executives are more averse to globalization than their peers from other departments.

This report, conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit on behalf of EquaTerra and World 50, examines corporate attitudes to the risks and opportunities presented by global competition and the challenges that come with expanding one’s global footprint.

The primary reason cited is complexity of management, an assertion that I have regularly made in the past. This complexity is exacerbated by the fact that few managers are trained in managing global processes, whether insourced or outsourced, and even fewer C-level executives view management of global technology installations as a special skill requiring training and cultivation.

I do trust that business schools will, over time, develop formal curricula in this area, but even if they do, it will take years for these people to filter into the mid-level and senior-level positions in IT management. Until then, globalizing an IT organization will continue to pose serious challenges for corporate America.