Fit Between Strategy and IS Specialization: A Framework for Effective Choice and Customization of Information System Application Modules

Abstract

As organizations implement enterprise systems, the issues of whether to “build or buy” new IT modules, and if buying, how much to customize, continue to be key concerns. In this chapter, we develop a framework in order to better understand effective information system module choice and customization from a strategy perspective. Analysis of the strategic importance of the IS module can provide general guidance for the amount of specialization that is appropriate. To illustrate these ideas we apply them to four case examples.