Frank Schlosser

Reconsidering the Dimensions of Business-IT Alignment

While the literature on business-IT alignment has become increasingly mature in the past 20 years, different definitions and conceptualizations have emerged. Several dimensions like strategic, intellectual, structural, social, and cultural alignment have been developed. However, no integrated and broadly accepted categorization exists and these dimensions are non-selective and do overlap. In this paper, we critically compare and reflect the existing dimensions of alignment and synthesize what has been researched about alignment and guide future research by revealing gaps in alignment research suggesting an agenda for future research. In regard to analyzing alignment, we propose to clearly separate between the organizational level and the content of alignment, for which we suggest three distinct dimensions: (1) human dimension, (2) social dimension, (3) intellectual dimension. The result is a consolidated grid of alignment studies allowing to identify both areas with a mature and rich strand of literature and those lacking research.

Achieving social alignment between business and IT – an empirical evaluation of the efficacy of IT governance mechanisms

How can firms improve the degree of social alignment between their business and IT units? Many years of research have shown the importance of business-IT alignment and its various facets, yet research on the efficacy of IT governance mechanisms to improve business-IT alignment is scarce. In this paper, we develop a model of social alignment at the operational level that considers the degree of social capital between an organization’s business and IT units, IT personnel’s business understanding, and a set of formal and informal IT governance mechanisms that drive the creation of social alignment and business value. Using survey data from 132 US banks, we show that social alignment is driven to varying degrees by a broad variety of IT governance mechanisms ranging from top management support and IT representation on the executive board to joint IT planning and IS training, regular meeting cycles, and liaison units. Our research contributes substantially to the practical demand on business-IT alignment research for an effective toolkit of IT governance mechanisms.

The Role of Internal Business/IT Alignment and IT Governance for Service Quality in IT Outsourcing Arrangements

This paper theoretically argues and empirically evaluates how a firms internal alignment and governance processes impact the service quality received from an external IT outsourcing provider. Using data from 154 firms, it is shown that good internal business/IT alignment leads to better and more accurate provider control processes which in turn improve service level agreements. The paper contributes to the literature in linking internal governance with external IT service quality, and by disclosing a largely neglected influence of alignment on governance and control processes.

Proposing a Theoretical Model for IT Governance and IT Business Alignment

This paper suggests extending the view that strategic alignment is a core IT governance issue and postulates that considering operational alignment as well offers more precise insights into how governance mechanisms influence business process performance. Theoretically combining findings from IT value, IT business alignment and IT governance research, we show the tantamount role of top executive support and operational alignment from a governance perspective. Empirical data from 82 firms show, among others, that the impact of IT governance mechanisms on success is mediated by strategic and operational alignment.

Applying a Configurational Approach for Explaining the Role of Relationship Quality for Successful Outsourcing Arrangements

Relationship quality dimensions like trust or commitment have been proven to be crucial determinants for the success of outsourcing arrangements. Most previous empirical studies focus on the success of relationship quality dimensions within a specific contextual outsourcing arrangement. We argue that the importance and formation of each relationship quality dimension highly depend on the contextual background of the particular study. To substantiate this contingency argument, we conducted 16 interviews with managers in different types of outsourcing arrangements and questioned them about their understanding of relationship quality. Linking managers’ statements with their outsourcing background, we found several configurational patterns that describe the different roles of relationship quality for successful outsourcing.

The Role of SOA for BPO Intention – Proposing a Research Model

How does the availability of an Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) within a firm affect the potential of and intention for outsourcing business activities? Since one of the promises of SOA is to modularize the IT representation of business processes, it should facilitate business process outsourcing (BPO) in terms of buying the provision of single business functionalities. In this paper, we develop a conceptual research model that theorizes the relationship between SOA and BPO intention.