The Relationships Between IT Flexibility, IT-Business Strategic Alignment, and IT Capability

Abstract

What seems to still be the main concern for managers in the corporate world across the globe is ITbusiness strategic alignment. This study seeks to address the research problem about the lack of alignment between IT and business strategies. Upon reviewing various literature on this subject, it was found that IT flexibility is one of the most vital factors that help sustain strategic alignment. The researcher upon having a detailed discussion on the possible areas associated with the present body of knowledge has discovered gaps in the studies that have been undertaken on strategic alignment and IT flexibility. This is because IT capability in relation to IT flexibility and strategic alignment has been ignored in the previous studies. As a result, this research proposes a relationship between IT flexibility (i.e., modularity, connectivity and compatibility), IT capability, and strategic alignment.Many studies have suggested the importance of strategic alignment which is due to several reasons. Firstly, strategic alignment is effective in ensuring that areas which are critical for successful business performance are targeted by information systems (IS) [18]. Secondly, it is valuable in enhancing the understanding of top executives about the importance of IS, and simultaneously, improving the understanding of IS managers with regard to business goals [19]. Apart from that, strategic alignment is also successful in ensuring Information Strategic Planning (ISP) is in conjunction with Business Planning (BP) activities in order for IS operations to back business strategies better and participate in business value accomplishment [20]. In another study [21], strategic alignment can successfully speed up acquirement and strategic placement of IT that is in harmony with the competitive needs of the establishment as opposed to the current practice trends in the establishment. Definitions of Strategic AlignmentA variety of conceptualizations and explanations are applied in the literature to explain strategic alignment. These are discussed below:The extent to which the information technology mission, objectives, and plans support and are supported by the business mission, objectives, and plans [22], [23]. The fit between IT and business structures is defined by Jarvenpaa and Ives [24]. The association among IS strategic orientation and business strategic orientation in IS strategic alignment is explained [25]. Applying IT in an appropriate and timely way, in harmony with business strategies, goals and needs [26], [27]. The positioning of four parts, which are business strategy, IT strategy, organizational infrastructure and processes and IS infrastructure and processes in strategic alignment is stated [27]. over 7 years of University teaching experience.

Electronic Business Development as a Sustainable Competitive Advantage Model / Elektroninio Verslo Plėtros Kaip Tvaraus Konkurencinio Pranašumo Modelis

“…Įmonės e. strategija veikia verslą trimis pagrindiniais aspektais (Leung 2007 (Leung 2007: 26) Kiti mokslininkai teigia, kad e. verslo strategija -tai pagalbinė priemonė įmonės bendrajai strategijai pasiekti , lygiagrečiai pabrėžiant ir tai, kad įmo-nė negali būti konkurencinga, jeigu jos bendroji verslo ir e. strategija nėra tapačios (Jorfi et al 2011;Barry, O'Flaherty 2003;Ying, Ramamurthy 2011). Šio tapatumo siekis yra vienas iš pagrindinių šiuolaikinės įmonės valdymo tikslų.…”

“…strategija turi apimti IT sprendimų indėlį į įmo-nės strateginių tikslų pasiekimą -IT naudojimas įmonės veikloje lemia įmonės pranašumą, tačiau tik tuo atveju, jeigu jis sutampa su įmonės strateginiais tikslais, tai tampa įmonės konkurencinio pranašumo dalimi (Barry et al 2003;Schwarc et al 2010;Jorfi et al 2011;Ying, Ramamurthy 2011). Didžiausia IT sprendimų taikymo įmonėje problema apibrėžiama kaip IT sprendimų ir įmonės strategijos lygiagretus pozicionavimas.…”

“…Derinant strategijas įmonė gali gerinti bendrą valdymą, technologijas, įgyti daugiau žinių apie konkurentus ir užsitikrinti stabilumą (Jorfi et al 2011). M. Vidas-Bubanja (2010) įvardija pagrindinį IT sprendimų panaudojimo privalumą -tai padeda efektyviau įmonėms vykdyti verslo operacijas vidinėje terpėje bei priimti ir išsiųsti informaciją į išorinę aplinką.…”

“…Mokslinėje literatūroje (Davidavičienė et al 2009;Combe 2006;Jorfi et al 2011;Williamson 2007;Kim et al 2010) autoriai nurodo skirtingus IT sprendimų poveikius verslui. IT sprendimų taikymas įmonėje pagerina verslo procesus, padeda atsirasti glaudesniems ryšiams su verslo partneriais, juos integruoti į įmonės veiklą, padeda atsirinkti, su kuo kontaktuoti, gerina bendravimo kokybę su dideliu skaičiumi partnerių (Williamson 2007;Kim et al 2010).…”

IS/IT Capability and Strategic Information System Planning (SISP) Success

“…Although many research have been conducted about IT capability notion, there is little consensus on its description ( [19], [40]). According to Srinivasan et al [20] definition, resource is a particular asset or know-how while the capability comprises of skills gained through firm's processes that empower organization to use its assets.…”