Patterns of co-alignment in information-intensive organizations: business performance through integration strategies

Information technology (IT) has transformed business practices in the last several decades: operations, product strategies, distribution, and customer service have become increasingly dependent on IT. Moreover, IT has changed its orientation from that of pure operational utility in the 1960s and 1970s to that of a competitive weapon in the 1990s and today. These phenomena have affected the way modern organizations are managed, as well as the way IT affects the strategic activities of an organization's value-chain.In particular, aligning an organization's business and IT strategies in order to deliver higher business performance presupposes a strategic business opportunity to which information systems technology is integral. In other words, Strategic Alignment between business and IT can have a positive business impact only if we see an organization's IT components as parts of a well-integrated organizational system. If business strategy is viewed separately from IT strategy or IT strategy is viewed only as a “support” tool, then there is little likelihood that the above positive impact of strategic alignment can take place.This research suggests, develops and tests a strategic co-alignment model by examining three types of integration that impact the planning process and the overall performance of information-intensive organizations: technological integration (TI), functional integration and strategic integration (SI).The results of this research yield some useful set of guidelines for theory building for IS, as well as for the business practice aspect of IS: most interesting is the role of consistency (co-alignment) between an organization's business and strategic information systems plans to improve overall firm performance. Other recommendations include having a high degree of involvement of IS executives in corporate planning, the use of outsourcing services to promote organizational systems integration, and the importance of internal coordination mechanisms to facilitate both systems consistency and lower transaction costs. Finally, this study has employed cluster analysis and discriminant analysis to interpret the research findings.     

Aligning information technology and business strategy with a dynamic capabilities perspective: A longitudinal study of a Taiwanese Semiconductor Company

Strategic alignment involves the development and reconfiguration of information technology (IT) to support business strategies. This paper applies the dynamic capabilities perspective to analyze the strategic information system alignment process. The paper further argues the approach is constructive in understanding and overcoming difficulties in achieving and sustaining alignment. From a longitudinal case study of a semiconductor company in Taiwan, the results show an unaligned strategic information system (with an implemented IT strategy that varies from the intended IT strategy) impedes the development of IT. Path dependence, or the implications of prior IT decisions, is another barrier for alignment. A broader view of intended alignment, focusing on IT combined with clear business vision, can be beneficial for adding future IT resources. In addition, dynamic capabilities, which are critical for the creation and strength of IT resources, positively influence the alignment process and its future implementation success.     

Challenges of information reuse in customer-oriented engineering networks

Project-based engineering companies are striving for innovation acceleration, and lean supply and product processes throughout the product lifecycle. The business orientation of engineer-to-order companies is customer-centric due to the nature of engineer-to-order products, which are tailored and customized according to the specific requirements of each customer. However, this customer orientation may lead to inefficient performance, due to a lack of mechanisms to reuse proven concepts, designs and production facilities, as well as an absence of feedback mechanisms from products in use and service. These challenges have been recognized in earlier empirical research projects conducted in companies providing engineer-to-order products. Based on an exploratory study of the existing literature, this paper aims to identify factors hindering product-related information reuse in an engineering business environment that comprises several networks of actors during the lifecycle of engineer-to-order products. The main challenges of information reuse in an engineer-to-order context are related to reuse situations, which require combining existing information with experience-based knowledge. A typology of factors and challenges of information reuse is built, and organizational development needs at different organizational levels as well as further research needs are identified.     

IT incidents and business impacts: Validating a framework for continuity management in information systems

Information technology (IT) incidents that make data inaccessible may cause businesses to lose customers, reputation and market position. Previous studies on information management have identified data availability as a key priority, and the literature on disaster recovery and business continuity describes ways of preparing for and avoiding IT incidents. However, no frameworks for information system continuity management (ISCM) have yet been validated. This research draws on a framework for business continuity management, and extends it to the context of information systems. The framework is validated in a survey of IT managers and chief information officers in large private and public organisations operating in Finland. The results suggest that the embeddedness of continuity practices in an organisation has perceived business impacts whereas, in contradiction of previous theory, there is no such direct relation in the case of organisational alertness and preparedness. The theoretical contribution is to validate the ISCM framework statistically. On the practical level, social factors such as committed managers and employees are influential in decreasing negative business impacts. Further research on the embeddedness of continuity practices is called for.     

The impact of IT on supply chain agility and firm performance: An empirical investigation

This study investigates the impact of information technology (IT) on supply chain agility measured by the ability to sense and respond to market changes, and the impact supply chain agility has on firm performance. Data were collected from supply chain executives at 193 U.S. manufacturing firms. The results suggest that IT improves the supply chain's ability to sense market changes by improving the adequacy, accuracy, accessibility, and timeliness of the information flows among members of the supply chain. IT also increases the supply chain's ability to respond to market changes by reducing the cost, and improving the quality and timeliness of developing and executing coordinated plans to respond to market changes throughout the supply chain. Importantly, the results indicate that enhanced supply chain agility has positive impacts on the firm's sales, market share, profitability, speed to market, and customer satisfaction.     

信息技术投资、智力资本动态变化与企业绩效

本文结合新一代信息技术的基本特征,利用2010-2015年中国A股上市公司数据,实证检验了信息技术投资通过激发智力资本的动态变化从而提升企业绩效的中介作用机制。研究发现：智力资本动态变化是信息技术投资与企业经营绩效之间的完全中介,是信息技术投资与企业市场绩效之间的部分中介。进一步分析发现：当今信息技术投资能显著促进人力资本和结构资本的动态变化。相对于欠发达地区企业,发达地区企业中智力资本动态变化的中介效应更加明显。最后,基于研究结果提出了相应的政策建议。     

Business process management and IT management: The missing integration

The importance of business processes and the centrality of IT to contemporary organizations’ performance calls for a specific focus on business process management and IT management. Despite the wide scope of business process management covering both business and IT domains, and the profound impact of IT on process innovations, the association between business process management and IT management is under-explored. Drawing on a literature analysis of the capabilities of business process and IT governance frameworks and findings from a case study, we propose the need for horizontal integration between the two management functions to enable strategic and operational business—IT alignment. We further argue that the role of IT in an organization influences the direction of integration between the two functions and thus the choice of integration mechanisms. Using case study findings, we propose that IT as a business enabler respectively calls for sequential and reciprocal integrations at strategic and operational planning levels. Drawing on logical reasoning, we suggest that IT as a strategic driver necessitates reciprocal integration at both levels.     

Platform-based customer agility: An integrated framework of information management structure,capability, and culture

Platform-based customer agility is the ability to leverage the voice of the customer on a platform to achieve market intelligence and to explore competitive action opportunities. Prior studies have indicated the critical role of customer agility in enabling the survival and prosperity of contemporary organizations in a turbulent business environment, although how to develop this capability is not answered. The current research attempts to fill this theoretical gap. Drawing on the information management literature, we propose an integrative information management framework to investigate the process of developing customer agility. By conducting a case study of a leading e-commerce platform in China, we identify three types of platform-based customer agility (i.e. reactive customer agility, proactive customer agility, and coactive customer agility) in different phases of the growth of the platform. Furthermore, a process model is developed from the case study. It shows that platform-based customer agility is achieved by establishing information management structure, developing information management capability, and instilling information management culture. This study contributes to the knowledge on customer agility and information management. Detailed recommendations are also provided for potential practitioners.     

Information security management needs more holistic approach: A literature review

Information technology has dramatically increased online business opportunities; however these opportunities have also created serious risks in relation to information security. Previously, information security issues were studied in a technological context, but growing security needs have extended researchers' attention to explore the management role in information security management. Various studies have explored different management roles and activities, but none has given a comprehensive picture of these roles and activities to manage information security effectively. So it is necessary to accumulate knowledge about various managerial roles and activities from literature to enable managers to adopt these for a more holistic approach to information security management. In this paper, using a systematic literature review approach, we synthesised literature related to management's roles in information security to explore specific managerial activities to enhance information security management. We found that numerous activities of management, particularly development and execution of information security policy, awareness, compliance training, development of effective enterprise information architecture, IT infrastructure management, business and IT alignment and human resources management, had a significant impact on the quality of management of information security. Thus, this research makes a novel contribution by arguing that a more holistic approach to information security is needed and we suggest the ways in which managers can play an effective role in information security. This research also opens up many new avenues for further research in this area.     

Informational Imperatives and Socially Mediated Relationships

Rational economic arguments focused on achieving efficient and productive IT use often guide discussions about technological infrastructure expansion. I characterize those compelling rational arguments as 'informational imperatives,' and I show that they generate unrealistic expectations based on assumptions about information resource use that do not reflect practice. My 'informational contexts' acknowledge that people value information and information resources based, in part, on the way they relate to the social world in which they live and work. If we base our expectations about information use on actual practice, would that reduce the potential economic benefit of expanding a national information infrastructure? I examine the social and organizational processes that direct IT use, and conclude that economic potential will remain high even if we alter information infrastructure policies to acknowledge and accommodate those processes that enhance expertise and foster socially mediated relationships.     

信息技术赋能创业:IT 能力对创业绩效的影响

大数据、人工智能等新一代信息技术正不断渗透和改变着创业行为和结果,为新创企业发展带来机遇与挑战。目前,企业的信息技术能力对创业活动的影响研究仍处于探索阶段。本文基于创业机会理论与资源依赖理论,考察IT能力对创业绩效的影响机制,探讨创业机会识别与开发的中介作用以及数字化业务强度的调节作用。实证分析发现：IT设施运用能力、IT业务跨越能力和IT前瞻性立场等三种IT能力均有助于提升创业绩效;创业机会识别与开发在3种IT能力与创业绩效间扮演中介角色;数字化业务强度在IT能力和创业机会识别与开发间发挥正向调节作用,并进一步调节创业机会识别与开发在3种IT能力与创业绩效间的中介作用,即：数字化业务强度越高,创业机会识别与开发的中介效应越显著。本研究丰富了信息技术赋能创业的研究内容,有助于推进信息技术在创业理论与实践中的运用。     

探究服务关系下顾客隐性需求的新视角——顾客心理契约中服务商责任

服务关系保持决策中辩识顾客隐性需求是难点之一.本文运用心理契约理论,通过揭示顾客对于服务商“责任”认知,进而探究出顾客对于关系中应享有“利益和权益”的需求与信念.在“责任”认知内涵、信息环境、信念形成等分析基础上,提出了顾客心理契约中服务商“责任”需求要素假设,设计出“责任”认知量表.以三类服务行业为实证背景,通过问卷调查及数据分析,验证得到:由服务规范、服务公平、人际沟通、共生发展构成的服务商“责任”结构,并初步分析出顾客对于美发、配镜、航空客运三类服务商“责任”需求强度的差异性.     

Business analytics use in CRM: A nomological net from IT competence to CRM performance

Business analytics (BA) becomes increasingly important under rapidly changing business environment. A research challenge is that BA use is not fully understood. We tackle this challenge from the perspective of dynamic capability by using an empirical model with the emphasis on BA use in customer relationship management (CRM). Based on 170 samples from firm-level survey, we analyze the nomological linkage from IT competence to CRM performance. The results show data management capability fully mediates between IT competence and BA use, while customer response capability partially mediates between BA use and CRM performance.     

An empirical investigation of factors affecting ubiquitous computing use and U-business value

This research investigates the factors that influence the use of ubiquitous computing and U-business value. It considers system, information and service qualities as the major factors affecting the use of ubiquitous computing. System quality is measured by accessibility, stability and ease of use. Relevance, accuracy and timeliness are used to measure information quality. Reliability, quickness and secrecy are used to measure service quality. U-business value measures the value created from business operations, business processes, and customer relationships improved by the use of ubiquitous computing. Our results show that system accessibility, information accuracy and timeliness, and service quickness exert crucial influences on ubiquitous computing use. We also find that the use of ubiquitous computing creates value by enhancing business operations, business processes, and customer satisfaction. These findings suggest that information quality is relatively more important than system and service qualities for the creation of value in a ubiquitous computing environment. Our research model and empirical results provide valuable indicators for the direction of future research and also suggest managerial guidelines for the successful development and adoption of ubiquitous computing within an organization.     

国家特征对信息技术价值的影响——基于随机生产边界模型的实证检验

建立了基于Box-Cox和Box-Tidwell生产函数的随机生产边界模型,并考虑了国家特征对生产效率和信息技术价值的影响,从国家层面分析了信息技术资本对我国经济增长和生产效率的影响。实证结果表明,信息技术资本对我国经济增长具有显著的促进作用,同时,国家特征促进了生产效率的提高,强化了信息技术的价值。但是无论在Box-Cox还是Box-Tidwell生产函数下,信息技术资本都没能促进生产效率的提高,反而导致了生产效率的下降,表明我国经济发展过程中存在信息技术的"生产率悖论"现象。     

Examining the Relationship between Social Media Analytics Practices and Business Performance in the Indian Retail and IT Industries: The Mediation Role of Customer Engagement

Social media analytics (SMA) is a dynamic field which has received considerable attention from both academics and management practitioners alike. A significant number of the scholarly research currently being conducted in SMA, however, is conceptual. Industry experts know that SMA creates new opportunities for organisations who want to more strongly engage with their customers and improve business performance. However, the relationship between social media analytic practices (SMAP), customer engagement (CE), and business performance (BP) has not yet been sufficiently investigated from an empirical perspective. In order to gain a better understanding of the relationship between SMAP and BP and the mediation role of CE in that process, a large-scale survey was conducted among senior and mid-level managers as well as consultants in the Retail and information technology (IT) industries in India. Specifically, a structured closed-ended questionnaire was administered to managers and management consultants country-wide and gathered usable responses from 281 respondents holding positions such as: Digital Marketing Executive/Digital Marketing Specialist, Management Consultant, Analytics Manager, Customer Relationship Manager, Marketing Director, Engagement Manager, etc. who were in charge of digital marketing strategies in the respondent retail and IT organisations. The questionnaire addressed issues related to the way in which SMAP contribute to an enhanced business performance through the mediation role of customer engagement. Structural Equation Modelling was employed to analyse the received empirical data. On the basis of the findings our research concludes that there is a significant positive relationship between SMAP and BP mediated by CE in the Indian retail and IT industries.     

虚拟顾客参与平台的运行机制:理论与实证研究

通过虚拟顾客参与平台（Virtual Customer Environments, VCE）来吸引顾客参与创新、利用顾客大数据、创建顾客中心型组织成为企业的重要策略，但VCE的运行机制并未得到理论界的足够重视。本文以VCE功能为主线，将VCE分为信息展示、需求收集和深度互动三个子平台。基于刺激-机体-反应模型，分析每个子平台的运行机制。具体而言，IT环境和市场环境的发展构成VCE的运行基础，企业和顾客之间的交互关系构成VCE的运行动因，企业吸引行为和顾客参与行为构成VCE的运行过程。进一步运用内容分析法，本文检验了中国500强企业网站中VCE子平台的运行，实证研究结果支持理论模型所提出的运行机制。但同时也发现，大多数中国500强企业尚未充分构建需求收集和深度互动这两个子平台，表现为在实际运行中未能有效吸引顾客参与。本研究不仅推动了VCE理论的发展，对顾客参与理论进行了拓展，并且有助于指导企业完善VCE平台的构建，从信息技术的角度塑造顾客导向型组织，提升创新绩效。     

创业导向与顾客信息获取:组织学习的调节作用——以IT行业新企业为例

研究新企业的顾客信息获取行为,分析创业导向和组织学习对顾客信息获取的影响。以137家IT行业的新企业为研究对象。实证研究结果表明,创业导向和组织学习对新企业的顾客信息获取行为具有积极的影响,同时组织学习对创业导向与顾客信息获取之间的关系具有负向调节作用。     

Information technology and productivity: a comparison of Japanese and Asia-Pacific banks

Banks throughout Asia have achieved productivity improvement through information technology (IT) use. Retail and wholesale IT products positively influence productivity. IT use increases outputs and decreases costs. Both IT capital investments and IT human resources have a positive relationship to productivity.Japanese banks benefit less from IT use than Asia-Pacific banks. To improve, these banks should better utilize their IT human resources and capabilities and acquire more cost-effective IT from international sources.The positive impact of IT on productivity is difficult to determine in net profit and asset (predominantly loans) increases. However, both Japanese and Asia-Pacific banks can enhance productivity by increased spending on IT and better management of IT resources. This would increase their competitiveness through differentiation and customer service improvement, reduced costs, better risk avoidance, and maintaining the stability of their customer base and market share.     

The impact of the customer relationship management on the organization performance

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is a very important growing business practice in today's environment. It is used for managing the interaction between a company and its future and current customers. CRM approach's task is analyzing data about the history of customers with a company. It focuses on a way to retain customers, therefore it helps the growth of sales. This leads to improvement of company's business relationship with customers. Current study's goal is to determine how technology, organizational capability, customer orientation, and customer knowledge management influence CRM success. We try to see that how the performance of an organization is affected by the achievement of CRM. For testing the hypotheses, Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was adopted. Results have indicated that the success of CRM is highly influenced through “information technology use”, also “customer orientation”, “organizational capability”, and “customer knowledge management” are related to CRM success. Finally, along with the future research avenues and limitations, study implications and findings are discussed.