Business-information Systems Strategies: A Focus on Misalignment

Abstract

Abstract Due to business dynamics and complexities, aligning information systems to the organizational strategy goals has appeared to be a concern for researchers and practitioners over the last decade. The challenge of achieving this alignment becomes even more severe and demanding day after day. Many published research is rich with regards to alignment models and frameworks. However, there is little in the literature that explains what managers should do with these frameworks, other than understand them conceptually. Although these models address how organizations can achieve alignment, they provide very little contribution on how to identify misalignment. Therefore, this paper focuses on this research gap in an attempt to develop a conceptual model that detects business-IS strategies misalignment. Accordingly, a three-phased research process (Model Development, Multiple Case Studies, and Model Refinement) is conducted to propose a well-defined conceptual model of five constructs (Business-IT relationship, IT Projects, Business-IT Communication, Business-IT Engagement, and Business-IT Strategic Misalignment). The model is an attempt to allow managers better understand business-IS strategic misalignment, and easily detect the areas of improvements to enhance the alignment level existing among the business and the technological assets of an enterprise. This research resulted in a business-IS strategic misalignment model refined by business and IT experts.