CASE STUDY
An in-depth description of a firm’s approach to an IT management issue (intended for MBA and executive education)
Working Paper: Case Study
Turnaround at Aetna: The IT Factor
This case study describes the role of IT in the business and the leadership of a large change in responsibility and capability for delivering IT.
Abstract
In 2005 Aetna, a leading health insurance company, completed a dramatic business turnaround of five years under new top management leadership. The case describes the role of IT in the business and the leadership of a significant change in responsibility and capability for delivering IT. In particular, the personal involvement and commitment of key top executives resulted in changes in governance with the business taking ownership of systems development and IT use, and in continuing long-term infrastructure development.
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About the Author
Cyrus Gibson, MIT Sloan Center for Information Systems Research (CISR)
MIT CENTER FOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS RESEARCH (CISR)
Founded in 1974 and grounded in MIT's tradition of combining academic knowledge and practical purpose, MIT CISR helps executives meet the challenge of leading increasingly digital and data-driven organizations. We work directly with digital leaders, executives, and boards to develop our insights. Our consortium forms a global community that comprises more than seventy-five organizations.
AlixPartners
Avanade
Cognizant
Collibra
IFS
The Ogilvy Group
Alcon Vision
Amcor
ANZ Banking Group (Australia)
AustralianSuper
Banco Bradesco S.A. (Brazil)
Banco do Brasil S.A.
Bank of Queensland (Australia)
Barclays (UK)
BlueScope Steel (Australia)
BNP Paribas (France)
Bupa
CarMax
Caterpillar, Inc.
Cemex (Mexico)
Cencora
CIBC (Canada)
Cochlear Limited (Australia)
Commonwealth Superannuation Corp. (Australia)
Cuscal Limited (Australia)
CVS Health
Dawn Foods
DBS Bank Ltd. (Singapore)
Doosan Corporation (Korea)
Fidelity Investments
Fomento Economico Mexicano, S.A.B., de C.V.
Fortum (Finland)
Genentech
Gilbane Building Co.
International Motors
Jewelers Mutual
Kaiser Permanente
Keurig Dr Pepper
King & Wood Mallesons (Australia)
Mater Private Hospital (Ireland)
Nasdaq, Inc.
NN Insurance Eurasia NV
Nomura Holdings, Inc. (Japan)
Nomura Research Institute, Ltd. Systems Consulting Division (Japan)
Novo Nordisk A/S (Denmark)
OCP Group
Pacific Life Insurance Company
Pentagon Federal Credit Union
Posten Bring AS (Norway)
Principal Life Insurance Company
QBE
Ramsay Health Care (Australia)
Reserve Bank of Australia
RTX
Saint-Gobain
Scentre Group Limited (Australia)
Schneider Electric Industries SAS (France)
Tabcorp Holdings (Australia)
Telstra Limited (Australia)
Terumo Corporation (Japan)
Tetra Pak (Sweden)
Truist Financial Corporation
UniSuper Management Pty Ltd (Australia)
Uniting (Australia)
USAA
Vanguard
Westpac Banking Corporation (Australia)
WestRock Company
Xenco Medical
Zoetis Services LLC
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