Prescription to Remedy the IT-Business Relationship

Abstract

Even though organisations are highly dependent on information technology (IT), many organisations have reported an unhealthy relationship between business and IT professionals. Establishing an effective relationship between these two disparate groups is essential for organisational success in today’s competitive global economy. Despite many attempts to improve the IT-business relationship, tensions still exist. The cultural differences between business and IT have recently been blamed for these tensions. Through the application of relevant organisational behaviour theories, the cultural characteristics of the IT group that effect the IT-business relationship can be identified. Research shows that the IT culture is such that mutual benefits are not derived from the relationship, IT and business groups have a poor attitude towards cooperation, there is a lack of shared knowledge between business and IT, and there is a lack of organisational linkages between business and IT. As a starting point for reconciliation between business and IT, this chapter provides insights into how tensions in the IT-business relationship can be minimised through understanding and managing the IT culture.