The alignment of information systems (IS) strategies with business strategies has been a managerial priority in modern organisations. Information Technology (IT) governance is an alternative perspective that has recently been used as a management solution that can drive to desired levels of IS/business alignment. From a pragmatic perspective, both IS/business alignment and IT governance appear to be managerial solutions that corporations desire to implement in order to get the most of the business and IT relationship. Empirical research has addressed the idea that effective designs of IT governance enable IS/business alignment, however, the extent of such impact and related interactions are still unclear. This research is focused on those claims to contribute with pragmatic solutions towards IS/business alignment and IT governance by means of collective management practices. This research explored challenges, assumptions and conceptualisations around IS/business alignment and focused on the assessment process of IS-business alignment to identify management practices for both IS/business alignment and IT governance. First, a quantitative analysis from data collected of an international survey was performed. This survey was conducted to identify extreme outcomes of relevant management practices in the IS/business alignment dynamics and links with IT governance. Second, a qualitative analysis from data collected of two leading large companies, one in the manufacturing and other in the financial sector, was performed by using a three-level (strategic, tactical and operational) assessment method. This case research aimed to identify how common relevant management practices interact across strategic, tactical and operational organisational levels. Results of both analyses were integrated to elaborate the constructors of the framework derived from this research, namely ALIS-G. The results from this research can be summarised as follows: First, ALIS-G exhibits four core management practices (IT investment management, budgetary control, strategic and tactical program management, strategic and tactical understanding of IT-business) and four supportive (IT-business planning, IT projects prioritisation, sponsorship & championship and change readiness) to show collective and compelling influence over the IS-business alignment dynamics and the effectiveness of IT governance arrangements. Second, a well-established IT investment management process holds the most substantial positive impact in the IS-business alignment dynamics and design of IT governance arrangements. Finally, results highlights the fact, perhaps obvious, that the arrangement of IT governance and the dynamics of IS/business alignment are very much conditioned by the resilient assignment, allocation and administration of budgets

This study was motivated by the researcher's, as well as his superior's, concern that a fundamental area of business, information technology investment and evaluation, continues to be problematic for many organisations. The lack of an integrated and methodical approach to the problem, as well as the fragmented research done to date on the effective measurement of IT-business-value, amplified the need for this study. The main objective of this study was to propose a new, more comprehensive model of the dimensions constituting IT-business-value, as well as related measures. The resultant ITIEM model dimensions were designed into a practical and holistic ITIEM methodology, intended to aid practice with: * Demonstrating how IT investments can enable measurable IT business-value * Determining which IT investments will yield the most IT-business-value for the organisation; and * Ensuring that IT investments and business initiatives support each The study has also endeavoured to contribute to the growth of knowledge by raising new problems, mapping out a program for future research on ITIEM, and putting 1 "Dimensions" refers to "groupings" of IT-business-value measures. forward a benefits framework that is verifiable by empirical observation, with the use of both case studies as well as action research. The study design includes: 1) A literature survey to identify the dimensions of IT-business-value, to identify the measures of IT-business-value, and to identify a candidate starting ITIEM methodology that is most comprehensive, addressing the most relevant measures of IT-business-value. This information is used to produce a draft case study protocol. 2) A single, exploratory pilot case study of a South African bank and a resultant revised case study protocol. 3) A cross-case analysis of a multiple case study of five South African banks (including the pilot) yielding a draft ITIEM model. 4) A cross-case analysis of three Australian banks, further enhancing the draft ITIEM model; and a cross-country comparison of the South African and Australian banks. The multiple case studies within South Africa and within Australia represent literal replications, while the cross-country comparison represents theoretical replication. 5) The existing ITIEM methodology selected in (1) is revised to reflect the draft ITIEM model and a new hybrid ITIEM methodology is proposed. 6) This hybrid ITIEM methodology is implemented and revised with action research resulting in the final ITIEM methodology and final ITIEM model.

Several surveys indicate that corporate leaders still consider the aligning of IT and business functions as a top management issue. The aim of this thesis is to illustrate how coordination emerges between IT and business departments and how formal structures intended to coordinate are influenced by human action. To deepen the understanding of this phenomenon we seek to analyze IT/business coordination from a perspective based on practice theory. A field study was conducted where observations and informal interviews were carried out at the IT department of a global company. The empirical analysis indicate that coordination problems between IT and business departments is in part affected by embedded factors such as different goals and perspectives on how IT is to be used in the organization or how to design IT related processes. Our findings suggest that social interaction plays an important role for coordination. It can enhance existing formal structures or create new structures, which improve the possibilities to coordinate between IT and business departments. Our findings also show how formal structures such as cross-functional roles can constitute conditions to initiate social interaction. The results can be used as indicators for how to enhance coordination between IT and business departments.

Purpose – Motivated by the increasing role of information technology (IT) in today’s organizations, the purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between business and IT executives in order to improve the organizational performance of the different aspects of IT technology and related systems. In the process, special attention is given to drivers which facilitate the cooperation between the parties involved. Design/methodology/approach – This survey-based research utilizes structural equation modeling methodology to uncover the relevant variables pertaining to the promotion of a positive social and strategic context needed to increase the effectiveness of organizational IT facets. Findings – The effectiveness of IT in modern organizations is contingent on a social alignment, business – IT alignment, strategic consistency, and common vision among the people who manage the IT function and those who need the organization. Research limitations/implications – This study is based on a sample of Portuguese manufacturing organizations. Therefore, findings and conclusions should be interpreted accordingly. In this context, future research in other organizational cultural settings is called for in order to refine and validate the results of this study. Practical implications – The role of establishing an organizational culture which stresses the common goal and mutual trust and cooperation in creating effective IT organizational utilization is underscored. As such, business executives are encouraged to exercise their leadership skills in order to create an organizational strategy which aligns IT capabilities and investments with the competitive strategy of the organization. In this context, creating an organizational culture which promotes business – IT alignment in a healthy social context is necessary. Originality/value – The issues and concerns addressed in this study should bridge the gap between business and IT executives. In the process, this study facilitates and encourages the effective utilization of the different facets of IT technology as they better serve the people of the organization. This advances the cost and practice of the strategic organizational role of IT investments.

Motivated by the increasing significance of information technology (IT) in today's open system organisations, the objective of this research is to uncover the relationships between business executives and their IT counterparts, which are essential toward improving organisational performance. In the process, a structural equation modelling is utilised to analyse the responses of a sample of 141 Portuguese executives. The results of testing the nine research hypotheses tend to underscore the significance of the trust between business and IT executives. Such trust is capable of fostering an organisational culture, which is conducive to the enhancement of the organisational performance. The ability of these business and IT executives to work together cultivates a knowledge domain, which generates effective solutions and applications to organisational problems. In turn, this contributes to improving the competitive performance of the organisation.

Business plan is important and undivided part of company management and of business planning. My master’s thesis points on usefulness of business plan as a medium for beginning entrepreneur, with low capital base, which is searching concepts how to push his visions trough in market. The master’s thesis introduces concrete practical example of creation and maintenance of new generation web portal. Description of usage in marketing and business point of view. This plan also contains concepts of company structure and plan of company expansion in three years term. Parts of the document are estimations of portal and company costs and also estimations of revenues. Document is draw up for multiple usage of business plan, not only for business visions presentation, but also as a concept for obtaining of financial resources from investors.

Titel: “Ska vi arbeta hårdast eller smartast?” – En kvalitativ studie med fokus på IT-företag i Växjö och deras arbete med processinnovationer.  Bakgrund: Företag arbetar dagligen i processer. Det blir väsentligt för företag att utveckla sina processer för att säkerställa att de bedriver sitt arbete på det mest effektiva arbetssättet - med fokus på att arbeta smartare snarare än hårdare. Processinnovationer innebär att vara innovativ med fokus på att förändra sina befintliga processer och dess arbetssätt för att säkerställa effektiva processer. Resultatet av processinnovationer kan exempelvis innebära minskade kostnader, tidsbesparing och ökat kundvärde. IT-branschen har visat sig vara den mest innovationsaktiva bransch i Sverige där processinnovationer var den mest förekommande.  Syfte och problemformulering: Syftet med studien är att skapa förståelse kring hur IT- företag i Växjö arbetar med processinnovationer. Studiens två problemformuleringar är: 1. Hur bedrivs processinnovationer på IT-företag i Växjö? 2. Vilka likheter respektive skillnader går att identifiera i processinnovationerna på IT-företag i Växjö?  Teori: Den teoretiska referensramen bygger på processinnovation med stöd av genomgång av innovation och processer. Dessutom görs en djupare redogörelse för centrala och essentiella delar inom arbetet med processinnovationer: öppenhet, samarbete, processkartläggning och IT-system vid processinnovationer.  Metod: Studien bygger på en fallstudiedesign med tre fall (tre IT-företag i Växjö). Den empiriska insamlingen bestod av totalt elva semistrukturerade intervjuer med representanter fördelat mellan studiens tre företag. Urvalet av respondenter gjordes via ett målstyrt urval och snöbollsurval för att säkerställa medverkande respondenter som hade inblick i företagens arbete med processinnovationer.  Slutsats: Resultatet av studien visar att samtliga företag arbetar tydligt och strukturerat med processinnovation. Vi har kunnat skapa en god förståelse samt kunskap om arbetssättet kring processinnovationer på IT-företag i Växjö. Studien har även identifierat likheter och skillnader kring företagens arbetssätt vid processinnovationer.

This study investigates the relationship between Organizational Behavior (OB), IT-business strategic alignment (ITBSA), and Firm Performance (FP) within the context of the Jordanian maritime industry. Through a survey conducted among companies in the industry, data were collected to assess the constructs of OB, ITBSA, and FP. The analysis of the data revealed significant findings supporting the positive impact of OB on FP, suggesting that effective organizational behavior practices contribute to improved firm performance. Furthermore, the study found that OB positively influences ITBSA, indicating that a strong organizational behavior framework promotes the alignment between IT and business strategies. Additionally, the results demonstrate that ITBSA directly affects FP, emphasizing the importance of strategic alignment in driving favorable performance outcomes. The study also identified that ITBSA acts as a mediator between OB and FP, underscoring its role in facilitating the relationship between organizational behavior and firm performance. These findings offer valuable insights into the dynamics of the Jordanian maritime industry and emphasize the significance of fostering a conducive organizational behavior environment and aligning IT with business strategies. The implications of these findings for both theory and practice are discussed, along with suggestions for future research directions to further enhance our understanding of the relationships between OB, ITBSA, and FP in the maritime industry context.

Title: Digital business strategy - The driver for change in internal and external business environment Authors: Sumera Magsi and Sarah Shaaban Advisor: Andrea Fried Master thesis, 30 credits Background:The effects resulting from a more intense use of digital technologies in companies is visible in the integration between business and IT strategies which creates an urge for digital business strategies to emerge. Thesis aim: The aim is to investigate the current state of digital business strategies which includes highlighting benefits and challenges. By doing that we also are aiming towards answering, in what way ITBA can be questioned due to DBS. Methodology: A qualitative research based on a multiple case study by conducting semi- structured interviews. All the selected case companies are using digital business strategies as a part of their internal and external business environment (IEBE). The respondents have a role in the chosen case companies of being responsible for the implementation and use of strategies, digital business strategies and digital technologies. Findings: This study identifies that their exits a linkage between business strategy and ITBA. The main finding about the current state of DBS involves both internal and external DBS activities. Further findings show that benefit of digital business strategy to be the opportunity to levering costumers and challenges to be connected to the different IT maturity levels of the employees. The way that digital business strategy can question ITBA is based on that it is the driver for change for the case companies.

This study extends our understanding of how information systems impact business value creation by examining the effect of digital enablement of business-to-business exchange on customer outcomes. We shed light on the connection between information technology investment and firm performance by focusing on how information technology is used (Devaraj and Kohli 2003) in an industrial services context and by highlighting the importance of indirect effects (Mittal and Nault 2009). A conceptual model is developed that combines a customer centric perspective (Sheth et al. 2000) with elements from the information systems success framework (DeLone and McLean 1992, DeLone and McLean 2003). Mediating factors are identified in the chain of effects from information technology specific business-to-business service quality characteristics to customer outcomes. In addition, we consider two contextual factors, relationship duration and customer dependence, which are known to alter the nature of buyer-supplier relationships but which have received little attention in research on digital enablement of business-to-business exchange. An empirical test of hypothesized relationships was performed using subjective and objective archival data from business-to-business exchange relationships for a logistics services vendor. All expected main effects were confirmed. Customer satisfaction was found to be a significant mediator in the chain of effects from information technology specific business-to-business service quality characteristics to customer outcomes. In addition, logistics service quality was found to mediate the relationships between system quality and customer satisfaction and between information quality and customer satisfaction. The hypothesized moderating effects, however, were not found to be significant. Robustness of the findings was confirmed by testing model hypotheses using data from exchange relationships with customers in two different industries, manufacturing and wholesale trade. Differences in analysis results are consistent with industry differences. This study contributes to the literatures on interorganizational information systems (Rai et al. 2006) and information technology business value (Melville et al. 2004) by identifying mediating mechanisms in the chain of effects from digital enablement of exchange to customer outcomes. Explication of mediating mechanisms improves our understanding about the indirect nature of impacts from information technology. This study also contributes to the literature on information systems by extending DeLone and McLean's (2003) model of information systems success to the context of business-to-business exchange relationships. In addition, this study contributes to the literature on services marketing (Zeithaml and Bitner 2003, Berry and Parasuraman 1993) by showing how system quality and information quality impact logistics service quality and customer satisfaction in a business-to-business exchange context.