Lecture notes in business information processing, 2017
Strategic alignment (SA) has been researched extensively since it first emerged in the early 1990... more Strategic alignment (SA) has been researched extensively since it first emerged in the early 1990s as a theme within the information systems (IS) strategy domain. The current research trajectory for SA is limited given the predominantly static focus placed on the concept to date, hence we know relatively little about what practitioners do in their day-to-day activity to achieve SA. We therefore propose a practice-based research methodology to help close this knowledge gap. More specifically, we propose joining together, the three pillars of, a Strategy-as-Practice lens, the constructivist grounded theory coding method and case study research design. This practice-based methodology will aid construction of mid-range theory that will have practical relevance in terms of how SA is practiced by practitioners. We recommend applying the methodology to two new research avenues, as a means to build mid-range theory to help us better understand what practitioners actually do, in their day-to-day activity to achieve SA.
Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 2012
Technology is the driving force behind many of today's new products, services, and cost-cutting m... more Technology is the driving force behind many of today's new products, services, and cost-cutting measures. However, there are gaps in our understanding about how technological innovation is fostered and nurtured in organizations. Part of the answer is to examine how Chief Information Officers (CIOs) exercise influence regarding technological innovation in organizations. This is particularly important since the CIO is the head of technology in organizations, an important source of technological innovation. This article draws on an established executive influence framework to demonstrate how Irish CIOs are able to solidify Information Technology's (IT's) contribution to technological innovation via relational means. Most of the CIOs in our study were able to successfully influence other executives to support these innovations which led to better IT-business alignment. However, other CIOs in our study were unsuccessful at influencing executives, which increased the disconnection between the CIO and the executive. Building on this study, we suggest significant practices and behaviors that CIOs can use to successfully influence other executives regarding technological innovations. CIOs must recognize that the relational side of technology alignment should be leveraged for them to successfully manage their contribution to technological innovation.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) researchers have been examining the social or rela... more Information and Communication Technology (ICT) researchers have been examining the social or relational aspects of ICT-business alignment for over twenty years. This research has examined not only the barriers to alignment, but also has suggested tangible ways to achieve relational ICTbusiness alignment. The research outlined in the paper briefly examines this research and outlines a study that will delve into the impact of Chief Information Officer (CIO) influence attempts on relational ICT-business alignment. A convenience sample of Irish CIOs will be interviewed on this subject and the data gathered will be subsequently analyzed. The preliminary results suggest that successful influence attempts build ICT-business alignment while unsuccessful influence attempts create misalignment.
Strategic alignment (SA) has been researched extensively since it first emerged in the early 1990... more Strategic alignment (SA) has been researched extensively since it first emerged in the early 1990s as a theme within the information systems (IS) strategy domain. The current research trajectory for SA is limited given the predominantly static focus placed on the concept to date, hence we know relatively little about what practitioners do in their day-to-day activity to achieve SA. We therefore propose a practice-based research methodology to help close this knowledge gap. More specifically, we propose joining together, the three pillars of, a Strategy-as-Practice lens, the constructivist grounded theory coding method and case study research design. This practice-based methodology will aid construction of mid-range theory that will have practical relevance in terms of how SA is practiced by practitioners. We recommend applying the methodology to two new research avenues, as a means to build mid-range theory to help us better understand what practitioners actually do, in their day-to-day activity to achieve SA.
Doctoral dissertations within the IS domain presented at viva voce examinations, lack systematic ... more Doctoral dissertations within the IS domain presented at viva voce examinations, lack systematic and structured approaches towards the review of literature. This paper outlines a structured approach to undertaking a systematic qualitative review of the strategic alignment literature within the IS domain. The approach is guided by a six stage process and utilises a Strategy-as-Practice lens to analyse the literature. The analysis is undertaken by employing a framework constructed from a Strategy-as-Practice typology, a classification scheme from the coding method of the constructivist approach to grounded theory, and the identification of practices as bundles of shared routines. This detailed analysis offers a range of unique perspectives that have not to-date been clearly articulated within the strategic alignment literature, thus enabling a highly novel written review as part of a doctoral dissertation.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) researchers have been examining the social or rela... more Information and Communication Technology (ICT) researchers have been examining the social or relational aspects of ICT-business alignment for over twenty years. This research has examined not only the barriers to alignment, but also has suggested tangible ways to achieve relational ICTbusiness alignment. The research outlined in the paper briefly examines this research and outlines a study that will delve into the impact of Chief Information Officer (CIO) influence attempts on relational ICT-business alignment. A convenience sample of Irish CIOs will be interviewed on this subject and the data gathered will be subsequently analyzed. The preliminary results suggest that successful influence attempts build ICT-business alignment while unsuccessful influence attempts create misalignment.
Strategic Alignment (SA) in the literature has been predominantly envisaged as a result of a form... more Strategic Alignment (SA) in the literature has been predominantly envisaged as a result of a formal deliberation process which finds a fit with a particular given strategy. This falls short of acknowledging other social forces that may shape SA and neglects the view that strategy can be emergent. This paper aims to contextualize SA in line with a contemporary perspective in strategy research which draws on practice theory and is widely labelled strategy-as-practice (SAP). We will discuss the motives behind this reorientation, outlining core principles in SAP, and concluding the paper by elaborating opportunity through SAP for the future of the SA research agenda.
Donegal Integrated Service Delivery Project was formed in 2001 to advance the interagency collabo... more Donegal Integrated Service Delivery Project was formed in 2001 to advance the interagency collaboration required to deliver on the evolving vision of customer-centric service delivery. The Project has played a key role in informing the development of the Irish eGovernment programme, acting as a pilot site for eGovernment initiatives. The paper is based on research into initiatives undertaken in County Donegal, reviewing these initiatives and setting out the progress achieved to date. Progress is evaluated in the context of international and national public service modernisation developments and the contribution made to the overall vision of delivering integrated public services. The interdependence between local and national initiatives is examined with the impact on outcomes evaluated. Key lessons emerging from the experience of using technology (eGovernment) to modernise service delivery are synthesised with a view to distilling the imperatives to be considered in maximising the b...
Supporting information systems requires both thought and action, which managers should consider i... more Supporting information systems requires both thought and action, which managers should consider in a consistent roadmap before ‘crossing the Rubicon’ to adopt such systems.
Since the 1950s the process of information technology (IT) related change in organizations has be... more Since the 1950s the process of information technology (IT) related change in organizations has been problematic regularly resulting in reports of persistent underperformance and failure, a situation well supported by empirical research. On closer inquiry it emerges that this plight is a product of the behavioural patterns of both the executive and IT occupational communities with their respective economic and technical mindsets. This article not only makes explicit the plight with IT related change and its behavioural underpinnings but also establishes the role of clinical inquiry, as an action research form of organization development, in fostering a more systemic approach to change. The article makes explicit the dual roles of organizational scientists in this domain which involves simultaneously attending to effective social action and the development of robust social theory.
Doctoral dissertations within the IS domain presented at viva voce examinations, lack systematic ... more Doctoral dissertations within the IS domain presented at viva voce examinations, lack systematic and structured approaches towards the review of literature. This paper outlines a structured approach to undertaking a systematic qualitative review of the strategic alignment literature within the IS domain. The approach is guided by a six stage process and utilises a Strategy-as-Practice lens to analyse the literature. The analysis is undertaken by employing a framework constructed from a Strategy-as-Practice typology, a classification scheme from the coding method of the constructivist approach to grounded theory, and the identification of practices as bundles of shared routines. This detailed analysis offers a range of unique perspectives that have not to-date been clearly articulated within the strategic alignment literature, thus enabling a highly novel written review as part of a doctoral dissertation.
Examines the contribution of conventional academia to the high levels of under-performance and fa... more Examines the contribution of conventional academia to the high levels of under-performance and failure in IT investments. Concludes that inter-disciplinary collaboration and dialogue offer a feasible basis for co-ordinating and integrating the knowledge and expertise of the IT and organisation development (OD) communities.
Throughout much of the last five decades the process of introducing, integrating, and exploiting ... more Throughout much of the last five decades the process of introducing, integrating, and exploiting infor- mation technology in work organizations has posed formidable cha llenges regularly resulting in reports of significant underperformance and failure. On closer inquiry it emerges that such underperformance and failure are firmly rooted in an inability to foster a highly integrated approach to the management of IT-enabled business change. This paper critiques in detail both the enduring and deep-rooted nature of this dilemma paying particular attention to the role of diverse occupational communities in its perpetua- tion through time. Furthermore, it explicates the polarized patterns of cognition and action embedded in these communities paying particular attention to the executive, information technology, and organization development communities. Finally, it presents a robust critique of the manner in which academic forma- tion within these occupational communities firmly reinforces...
Strategic Alignment (SA) in the literature has been predominantly envisaged as a result of a form... more Strategic Alignment (SA) in the literature has been predominantly envisaged as a result of a formal deliberation process which finds a fit with a particular given strategy. This falls short of acknowledging other social forces that may shape SA and neglects the view that strategy can be emergent. This paper aims to contextualize SA in line with a contemporary perspective in strategy research which draws on practice theory and is widely labelled strategy-as-practice (SAP). We will discuss the motives behind this reorientation, outlining core principles in SAP, and concluding the paper by elaborating the suitability of SAP for the future SA research agenda.
Lecture notes in business information processing, 2017
Strategic alignment (SA) has been researched extensively since it first emerged in the early 1990... more Strategic alignment (SA) has been researched extensively since it first emerged in the early 1990s as a theme within the information systems (IS) strategy domain. The current research trajectory for SA is limited given the predominantly static focus placed on the concept to date, hence we know relatively little about what practitioners do in their day-to-day activity to achieve SA. We therefore propose a practice-based research methodology to help close this knowledge gap. More specifically, we propose joining together, the three pillars of, a Strategy-as-Practice lens, the constructivist grounded theory coding method and case study research design. This practice-based methodology will aid construction of mid-range theory that will have practical relevance in terms of how SA is practiced by practitioners. We recommend applying the methodology to two new research avenues, as a means to build mid-range theory to help us better understand what practitioners actually do, in their day-to-day activity to achieve SA.
Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 2012
Technology is the driving force behind many of today's new products, services, and cost-cutting m... more Technology is the driving force behind many of today's new products, services, and cost-cutting measures. However, there are gaps in our understanding about how technological innovation is fostered and nurtured in organizations. Part of the answer is to examine how Chief Information Officers (CIOs) exercise influence regarding technological innovation in organizations. This is particularly important since the CIO is the head of technology in organizations, an important source of technological innovation. This article draws on an established executive influence framework to demonstrate how Irish CIOs are able to solidify Information Technology's (IT's) contribution to technological innovation via relational means. Most of the CIOs in our study were able to successfully influence other executives to support these innovations which led to better IT-business alignment. However, other CIOs in our study were unsuccessful at influencing executives, which increased the disconnection between the CIO and the executive. Building on this study, we suggest significant practices and behaviors that CIOs can use to successfully influence other executives regarding technological innovations. CIOs must recognize that the relational side of technology alignment should be leveraged for them to successfully manage their contribution to technological innovation.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) researchers have been examining the social or rela... more Information and Communication Technology (ICT) researchers have been examining the social or relational aspects of ICT-business alignment for over twenty years. This research has examined not only the barriers to alignment, but also has suggested tangible ways to achieve relational ICTbusiness alignment. The research outlined in the paper briefly examines this research and outlines a study that will delve into the impact of Chief Information Officer (CIO) influence attempts on relational ICT-business alignment. A convenience sample of Irish CIOs will be interviewed on this subject and the data gathered will be subsequently analyzed. The preliminary results suggest that successful influence attempts build ICT-business alignment while unsuccessful influence attempts create misalignment.
Strategic alignment (SA) has been researched extensively since it first emerged in the early 1990... more Strategic alignment (SA) has been researched extensively since it first emerged in the early 1990s as a theme within the information systems (IS) strategy domain. The current research trajectory for SA is limited given the predominantly static focus placed on the concept to date, hence we know relatively little about what practitioners do in their day-to-day activity to achieve SA. We therefore propose a practice-based research methodology to help close this knowledge gap. More specifically, we propose joining together, the three pillars of, a Strategy-as-Practice lens, the constructivist grounded theory coding method and case study research design. This practice-based methodology will aid construction of mid-range theory that will have practical relevance in terms of how SA is practiced by practitioners. We recommend applying the methodology to two new research avenues, as a means to build mid-range theory to help us better understand what practitioners actually do, in their day-to-day activity to achieve SA.
Doctoral dissertations within the IS domain presented at viva voce examinations, lack systematic ... more Doctoral dissertations within the IS domain presented at viva voce examinations, lack systematic and structured approaches towards the review of literature. This paper outlines a structured approach to undertaking a systematic qualitative review of the strategic alignment literature within the IS domain. The approach is guided by a six stage process and utilises a Strategy-as-Practice lens to analyse the literature. The analysis is undertaken by employing a framework constructed from a Strategy-as-Practice typology, a classification scheme from the coding method of the constructivist approach to grounded theory, and the identification of practices as bundles of shared routines. This detailed analysis offers a range of unique perspectives that have not to-date been clearly articulated within the strategic alignment literature, thus enabling a highly novel written review as part of a doctoral dissertation.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) researchers have been examining the social or rela... more Information and Communication Technology (ICT) researchers have been examining the social or relational aspects of ICT-business alignment for over twenty years. This research has examined not only the barriers to alignment, but also has suggested tangible ways to achieve relational ICTbusiness alignment. The research outlined in the paper briefly examines this research and outlines a study that will delve into the impact of Chief Information Officer (CIO) influence attempts on relational ICT-business alignment. A convenience sample of Irish CIOs will be interviewed on this subject and the data gathered will be subsequently analyzed. The preliminary results suggest that successful influence attempts build ICT-business alignment while unsuccessful influence attempts create misalignment.
Strategic Alignment (SA) in the literature has been predominantly envisaged as a result of a form... more Strategic Alignment (SA) in the literature has been predominantly envisaged as a result of a formal deliberation process which finds a fit with a particular given strategy. This falls short of acknowledging other social forces that may shape SA and neglects the view that strategy can be emergent. This paper aims to contextualize SA in line with a contemporary perspective in strategy research which draws on practice theory and is widely labelled strategy-as-practice (SAP). We will discuss the motives behind this reorientation, outlining core principles in SAP, and concluding the paper by elaborating opportunity through SAP for the future of the SA research agenda.
Donegal Integrated Service Delivery Project was formed in 2001 to advance the interagency collabo... more Donegal Integrated Service Delivery Project was formed in 2001 to advance the interagency collaboration required to deliver on the evolving vision of customer-centric service delivery. The Project has played a key role in informing the development of the Irish eGovernment programme, acting as a pilot site for eGovernment initiatives. The paper is based on research into initiatives undertaken in County Donegal, reviewing these initiatives and setting out the progress achieved to date. Progress is evaluated in the context of international and national public service modernisation developments and the contribution made to the overall vision of delivering integrated public services. The interdependence between local and national initiatives is examined with the impact on outcomes evaluated. Key lessons emerging from the experience of using technology (eGovernment) to modernise service delivery are synthesised with a view to distilling the imperatives to be considered in maximising the b...
Supporting information systems requires both thought and action, which managers should consider i... more Supporting information systems requires both thought and action, which managers should consider in a consistent roadmap before ‘crossing the Rubicon’ to adopt such systems.
Since the 1950s the process of information technology (IT) related change in organizations has be... more Since the 1950s the process of information technology (IT) related change in organizations has been problematic regularly resulting in reports of persistent underperformance and failure, a situation well supported by empirical research. On closer inquiry it emerges that this plight is a product of the behavioural patterns of both the executive and IT occupational communities with their respective economic and technical mindsets. This article not only makes explicit the plight with IT related change and its behavioural underpinnings but also establishes the role of clinical inquiry, as an action research form of organization development, in fostering a more systemic approach to change. The article makes explicit the dual roles of organizational scientists in this domain which involves simultaneously attending to effective social action and the development of robust social theory.
Doctoral dissertations within the IS domain presented at viva voce examinations, lack systematic ... more Doctoral dissertations within the IS domain presented at viva voce examinations, lack systematic and structured approaches towards the review of literature. This paper outlines a structured approach to undertaking a systematic qualitative review of the strategic alignment literature within the IS domain. The approach is guided by a six stage process and utilises a Strategy-as-Practice lens to analyse the literature. The analysis is undertaken by employing a framework constructed from a Strategy-as-Practice typology, a classification scheme from the coding method of the constructivist approach to grounded theory, and the identification of practices as bundles of shared routines. This detailed analysis offers a range of unique perspectives that have not to-date been clearly articulated within the strategic alignment literature, thus enabling a highly novel written review as part of a doctoral dissertation.
Examines the contribution of conventional academia to the high levels of under-performance and fa... more Examines the contribution of conventional academia to the high levels of under-performance and failure in IT investments. Concludes that inter-disciplinary collaboration and dialogue offer a feasible basis for co-ordinating and integrating the knowledge and expertise of the IT and organisation development (OD) communities.
Throughout much of the last five decades the process of introducing, integrating, and exploiting ... more Throughout much of the last five decades the process of introducing, integrating, and exploiting infor- mation technology in work organizations has posed formidable cha llenges regularly resulting in reports of significant underperformance and failure. On closer inquiry it emerges that such underperformance and failure are firmly rooted in an inability to foster a highly integrated approach to the management of IT-enabled business change. This paper critiques in detail both the enduring and deep-rooted nature of this dilemma paying particular attention to the role of diverse occupational communities in its perpetua- tion through time. Furthermore, it explicates the polarized patterns of cognition and action embedded in these communities paying particular attention to the executive, information technology, and organization development communities. Finally, it presents a robust critique of the manner in which academic forma- tion within these occupational communities firmly reinforces...
Strategic Alignment (SA) in the literature has been predominantly envisaged as a result of a form... more Strategic Alignment (SA) in the literature has been predominantly envisaged as a result of a formal deliberation process which finds a fit with a particular given strategy. This falls short of acknowledging other social forces that may shape SA and neglects the view that strategy can be emergent. This paper aims to contextualize SA in line with a contemporary perspective in strategy research which draws on practice theory and is widely labelled strategy-as-practice (SAP). We will discuss the motives behind this reorientation, outlining core principles in SAP, and concluding the paper by elaborating the suitability of SAP for the future SA research agenda.
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