Abstract
Nowadays, turbulence in the businesses' environment is on the increase. Therefore, businesses are obliged to respond to that environmental uncertainty. Strategic Information Systems Planning (SISP) support this effort. Information Systems are connected with business strategy, management skills, decision making and aim to increase competitive advantage. Previous studies have examined the effect of SISP phases on success. Also, other studies have concluded that there is a positive relationship between SISP and firm performance. The aim of this chapter is to present a holistic approach in order to investigate the significance of SISP process, to highlight phases that contribute to a greater extent of success and to draw conclusions concerning the successful implementation of digital strategy in firms and especially in SMEs which are an important part of the economies of developing countries.
TopSISP has become a significant planning activity in organizations and a major issue for IS management. Many factors have contributed to the change of the role of IS in business in recent years. These factors involve the use of IS for competitive advantage, the effusion of IS in businesses, the involvement of IS on businesses’ daily operations and the increase of interorganizational systems. Due to these changes, strategic planning for the IS function is necessary so that businesses can effectively achieve their goals in this complex and dynamic environment (Pvemkumar & King, 1991, 1994).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Resources: Resources can be categorized into physical, organizational, technological and financial. They are unique, they give value to the business and they cannot be copied by competitors.
Strategic Information Systems Planning: The process of finding opportunities through IT which will add value to the organization, aligning its goals with IT and increases competitive advantage.
Strategy Implementation Planning: This phase involves an approach and the actions of change management and the evaluation of strategic plan.
Alignment: The connection between business strategy and IS strategy.
Strategy Conception: This phase contains the determination of main IS objectives, opportunities for improvement, alternative scenarios as well as the evaluation of opportunities for improvement. Also, it includes the definition of high level IS strategies.
Firm Performance: The power of a business to implement activities better rather than its competitors.
Strategic Analysis: This phase involves analysis of current business systems, current organizational systems and current IS. Also, it includes the analysis of the current external and internal business environment and the current external IT environment.
Strategic Awareness: This phase includes the identification of key planning issues, planning objectives, organizing the planning team and the encouragement of top level managers.