Strategies that Mitigate IT Infrastructure Demands Produced by Student BYOD Usage

• Main Author: Dunne, Martha Jane
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-2019
• Subjects: College admissions; Computer science; Higher Education Administration; Information Technology
• ISBN: 1392757029; 9781392757024

The use of bring your own devices (BYOD) is a global phenomenon, and nowhere is it more evident than on a college campus. The use of BYOD on academic campuses has grown and evolved through time. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to identify the successful strategies used by chief information officers (CIOs) to mitigate information technology infrastructure demands produced by student BYOD usage. The diffusion of innovation model served as the conceptual framework. The population consisted of CIOs from community colleges within North Carolina. The data collection process included semistructured, in-depth face-to-face interviews with 9 CIOs and the analysis of 25 documents, all from participant case organizations. Member checking was used to increase the validity of the findings. During the data analysis phase, the data were coded, sorted, queried, and analyzed obtained from semistructured interviews and organizational documentation with NVivo, a qualitative data analysis computer software package. Through methodological triangulation, 3 major themes emerged from the study: the importance of technology management tools, the importance of security awareness training, and the importance of BYOD security policies and procedures. These themes highlight successful strategies employed by CIOs. The implications for positive social change as a result of this study include creating a more positive experience for students interacting with technology on campus. Effects on social change will also arise by increasing a student’s mindfulness through security awareness programs, which will empower the student to take more control of their online presence and as they pass that information along to family and friends.