Extending the literature on information technology control weaknesses (ITCWs), we investigate the strategic role of chief information officers (CIOs) in maintaining adequate internal controls and remediating ITCWs. Drawing on institutional theory and sunk cost effect, we develop three hypotheses. We adopt an archival approach and obtain CIO turnover and ITCW data for 890 distinct firms, finding that: (i) ITCW disclosures may not increase the likelihood of CIO turnover, (ii) CIOs’ backgrounds are associated with the likelihood of turnover, and (iii) CIO turnover increases the likelihood of subsequent ITCW remediation. Theoretically, we extend the literature by investigating the strategic role of CIOs in remediating ITCW. Practically, we find that common practices by firms to retain CIOs in ITCW situations are ineffective for ITCW remediation. Firms are encouraged to reconsider these practices.

扩展有关信息技术控制弱点（ITCW）的文献，我们研究首席信息官（CIO）在维持适当的内部控制和补救ITCW中的战略作用。利用制度理论和沉没成本效应，我们提出了三个假设。我们采用存档方法，并获得了890家不同公司的CIO营业额和ITCW数据，发现：（i）ITCW披露可能不会增加CIO营业额的可能性，（ii）CIO的背景与营业额的可能性有关，以及（ iii）CIO营业额增加了后续ITCW补救的可能性。从理论上讲，我们通过研究CIO在补救ITCW中的战略作用来扩展文献。实际上，我们发现公司在ITCW情况下保留CIO的常规做法对ITCW补救无效。