Resource-Based View in Empirical IT Business Value Research--An Evidence-Based Literature Review

Abstract

Recently, the Resource-based View (RBV) attracts more attention in IT business value research, as it serves as a theoretical framework for the identification of IT resources impacting firm performance. Although numerous empirical studies applying the RBV can be found, systematic research structuring the obtained knowledge is hardly available. Therefore, we conduct an evidence-based literature review to structure and consolidate empirical evidence from studies using the RBV as a theoretical foundation. We illustrate how different IT resources can be distinguished and classified by considering their operationalization. With the means of our research map we illustrate our findings and their evidence pointing out contradictory results of how different classes of IT resources affect the IT business value in terms of the competitive advantage. We discuss some direct effects of IT resources on the competitive advantage as well as research gaps. Finally, we present implications regarding the RBV in IT business value research.