Reference Hub2
Linking the Strategic Importance of ICT with Investment in Business-ICT Alignment: An Explorative Framework

Linking the Strategic Importance of ICT with Investment in Business-ICT Alignment: An Explorative Framework

Bjorn Cumps, Stijn Viaene, Guido Dedene
Copyright: © 2010 |Volume: 1 |Issue: 1 |Pages: 19
ISSN: 1947-9611|EISSN: 1947-962X|ISSN: 1947-9611|EISBN13: 9781616929909|EISSN: 1947-962X|DOI: 10.4018/jitbag.2010120403
Cite Article Cite Article

MLA

Cumps, Bjorn, et al. "Linking the Strategic Importance of ICT with Investment in Business-ICT Alignment: An Explorative Framework." IJITBAG vol.1, no.1 2010: pp.39-57. http://doi.org/10.4018/jitbag.2010120403

APA

Cumps, B., Viaene, S., & Dedene, G. (2010). Linking the Strategic Importance of ICT with Investment in Business-ICT Alignment: An Explorative Framework. International Journal of IT/Business Alignment and Governance (IJITBAG), 1(1), 39-57. http://doi.org/10.4018/jitbag.2010120403

Chicago

Cumps, Bjorn, Stijn Viaene, and Guido Dedene. "Linking the Strategic Importance of ICT with Investment in Business-ICT Alignment: An Explorative Framework," International Journal of IT/Business Alignment and Governance (IJITBAG) 1, no.1: 39-57. http://doi.org/10.4018/jitbag.2010120403

Export Reference

Mendeley
Favorite Full-Issue Download

Abstract

In this article, we introduce a framework that can be used by organizations as a positioning instrument to think of business-ICT alignment decisions in light of the strategic importance of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) in their organization. We make a distinction between organizations where ICT is of high strategic importance and those where ICT is of low strategic importance. Based on this difference we argue that heavily investing in business-ICT alignment processes, structures and roles (PSRs) will not necessarily always be beneficial when ICT is of low strategic importance to the business. Furthermore, organizations that have a minimalist approach to the use of ICT do not necessarily need to invest in business-ICT alignment PSRs. We explain the dynamics and possible migration scenarios of our proposed framework after testing the statistical significance of the relationship between the strategic importance of ICT and the investment in business-ICT alignment. We end this article with a short empirical study which combines survey and case study results. Both the framework and framework dynamics still need further empirical validation, preferably with longitudinal data. Therefore, we stress and acknowledge that many of the discussions in this article are still explorative in nature. However, this article illustrates the possibilities and the need for a more fine-grained approach to business-ICT alignment.

Request Access

You do not own this content. Please login to recommend this title to your institution's librarian or purchase it from the IGI Global bookstore.