Over the years, information technology has created opportunities to improve and extend businesses and to start conducting business in new ways. With the evolution of IT, all businesses and industries are becoming increasingly digitized. This process, or coevolution, of IT and business coming together is called digital transformation. One of the recent trends in this digital transformation is the use of application programmable interfaces (APIs). APIs are standardized digital communication interfaces, used for communication and exchange of information between systems, services and devices (such as computers, smartphones and connected machines). API communication is one of the foundational building blocks in recent disruptive technology trends such as mobile and cloud computing. The purpose of this study is to gain an understanding of the business impact that is created in digital transformation related to the use of APIs. To investigate this novel area, an exploratory study is performed where a frame of reference with an exploratory framework is created based on established academic literature. The exploratory framework consists of three main parts which cover the research questions, including Business Drivers, Business Model Change & Innovation and Challenges & Limitations related to API-enabled digital transformation. The framework is used to gather empirical data consisting of two types, interviews (primary data) and contemporary reports (secondary data). Interviews are performed with API-utilizing companies, consulting firms and IT solution providers and contemporary reports are published by consulting and technology research and advisory firms. Two main business drivers are identified in the study. The first is Understanding & Satisfying Customer Needs which is derived from companies experiencing stronger and changing demands for automated, personalized value-adding services. This requires higher degree of integration across channels and organizations. The second driver is Business Agility, which derives from higher requirements on adapting to changing environments while maintaining operational efficiency. Cost Reduction is also mentioned as a third and secondary driver, as a positive side-effect in combination with the other drivers. The identified impact on business models is that business model innovation is mostly happening in the front-end of business model towards customers. Several examples also exist of purely API-enabled businesses that sell services or manage information exchanges over APIs. The challenges and limitations identified are mostly classic challenges of using IT in businesses and not specific to use of APIs, where the general consensus is that IT and business need to become more integrated, and that strategy and governance for API-initiatives need to be established.

Enterprise Architecture is so far the highest development step in IT's architectural description of enterprises. At the beginning, just technological architecture existed. However, with the quickly growing complexity of IT other domains occurred, that had to be described. Information or application architectures can serve as examples. IT then realized, that it needed to add to its IT architectures a business view and consequently the discipline Enterprise Architecture came into being. Strategic management is crucial for the development of each enterprise. The thesis focuses on the strategic management of business and the strategic management of IT. The strategic management of business consists of a business strategy and an operating model. To the strategic management of IT then belongs an information strategy and IT governance. Business-IT alignment further explores and ensures the accord between the strategic management of business and the strategic management of IT. The aim of the thesis is to describe the relationship of Enterprise Architecture and the different forms of strategic management and to express to which rate Enterprise Architecture supports them. The explored relationships are: - The relationship of Enterprise Architecture and business strategy - The relationship of Enterprise Architecture and operating models - The relationship of Enterprise Architecture and information strategy - The relationship of Enterprise Architecture and IT governance - The relationship of Enterprise Architecture and business-IT alignment The goals of the thesis are reached via theoretical research and subsequent deduction. The author's personal asset consists of creating a hierarchical model of Enterprise Architecture, of defining Enterprise Architecture's reaction to business strategies, of modifying the methodology MMDIS in respect of information strategy, of depicting, how Enterprise Architecture can be used in IT governance, of illustrating, where Enterprise Architecture contributes to business-IT alignment and of assessing, to which rate Enterprise Architecture supports the different forms of strategic management.

This master thesis analyzes current situation in the area of IT Services management in the Czech public sector in ITILv3 framework. Theoretical part characterizes ITIL framework from high-level perspective, includes processes description and possible use in public sector. Moreover, public sector organization structure and government's strategy vision are summarized. The master thesis practical part analyzes current situation of IT Services management in the Czech public sector, uses public information ressources, surveys, discussions and interviews. The analysis identifies key points threatening IT management effectiveness. IT Governance model is designed based on these key points. The model proposes strategy view and defines crucial organizational responsibilities. Essential ITIL processes are defined including implementation plan and communication strategy.

The merging of business and information technology (IT) strategies, effectively becoming a Digital Business Strategy (DBS), is changing the way that organisations have to leverage resources to create differential value. Due to the DBS being such a novice idea, there is no clear understanding of what the DBS is, what its characteristics and boundaries are, how it impacts alignment between business and IT, and how it impacts organisational performance. Without this understanding, organisations leveraging a DBS run the risk of launching technological initiatives or making organisational changes that are disjointed from their strategic direction. These misaligned efforts may result in unrealised strategy and unsatisfactory organisational performance. The purpose of this study was to define the boundaries and characteristics of the DBS, provide a definition of a DBS and to establish if the DBS has a positive effect on organisational performance. To examine the DBS, it was observed in its natural habitat, through a single case study approach, focusing on an organisation that has been leveraging a DBS as part of their digital journey. The organisation is a South African based financial services provider and is a subsidiary of a larger financial services provider. In this study, the DBS was observed from an intellectual, operational, social and cultural alignment perspective, using a combination of the Strategic Alignment Model (SAM) and the Complex Adaptive System (CAS) frameworks. This study subscribed to a mixed-method approach which included both qualitative and quantitative research techniques. Staff providing input into this study included senior, middle, junior and non-management employees. The study was conducted over a period of thirteen months. The findings from both the qualitative and quantitative data suggest that to leverage a DBS the organisation must be concerned with more than just leveraging digital resources. For instance, organisations must focus on customer and staff empowerment, use customer and industry-related information to create opportunistic and competitive decision-making opportunities, and create a change-ready culture where bold experimentation and failing forward is embraced. Researchers and practitioners alike can use the findings of this case study as lessons on how to leverage organisational resources in the context of the DBS.

In response to the ever-intensifying urgency for environmental preservation, the imperative for sectors with substantial carbon footprints to adapt and drive the transition to a low carbon economy is apparent. Sustainability transitions, signifying systemic changes towards sustainable socio-technical systems, emerge as critical in this context, especially within the banking sector. This industry, anchored by its pervasive Information Technology (IT) infrastructure, stands as a key actor in the paradigm shift towards global sustainability. This study investigates the implications of the global transition towards net-zero emissions by 2050 for the IT strategy of banks. This transition necessitates significant changes in the banking sector’s practices, with a particular focus on reducing energy consumption and promoting sustainable operations. The paper presents an in-depth investigation of the factors that banks need to address when adapting their IT strategy to align with these imminent changes. The research methodology followed a qualitative research design, with semi-structured interviews conducted among banking sector practitioners serving as the primary data collection method. Additionally, the study applied the Technological-Organizational-Environmental (TOE) framework to analyze the adoption of sustainable practices in the banking sector. This framework allowed for a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of the transition towards net-zero emissions, considering the intertwined aspects of technology, organization, and environment. The findings of this research reveal significant insights into the key drivers and strategies required for banks as they make decisions about their IT strategies, particularly in response to the transition towards net-zero emissions. The urgency of environmental sustainability and its integration into strategic planning have emerged as primary drivers, leading to the adoption of Green IT for balancing operational efficiency with environmental responsibility. This strategy has influenced banks’ responses and adaptation by prompting introspective resource management, integrating sustainability into organizational culture, and shaping an environmentally conscious workforce. In conclusion, despite facing various complexities, banks are demonstrating resilience and adaptability in their transition towards sustainability, indicating a future of continuous innovation and transformative practices firmly rooted in sustainability. The findings from this research significantly contribute to the existing body of knowledge, offering deeper insights into the interplay between banking practices and the urgent transition towards net-zero emissions. Future research could further enrich this understanding byassessing the effectiveness of banks’ sustainability initiatives, their achievements against set sustainability targets, and the evolving role of Green IT in driving sustainable banking. / Det växande behovet av miljömässig hållbarhet markerar tydligt nödvändigheten för sektorer med storakoldioxidavtryck att anpassa sig och driva övergången till en ekonomi med minskade koldioxidutsläpp. Övergången till hållbarhet, som innebär systematiska förändringar mot hållbara socio-tekniska system, framstår som avgörande i detta sammanhang, särskilt inom banksektorn. Denna bransch, förankrad av sin omfattande IT-infrastruktur, är en viktig aktör i det paradigmskifte som leder mot global hållbarhet. Denna studie undersöker vad den globala övergången mot nettonollutsläpp fram till 2050 innebär för bankernas IT-strategier. Denna övergång kräver omfattande anpassningar inom banksektorn, med särskild inriktning på att minska energiförbrukningen och främja hållbara verksamhetsmetoder. Rapporten presenterar en djupgående undersökning av de faktorer som banker behöver ta hänsyn till när de anpassar sin IT-strategi för att möta dessa förestående förändringar. Studiemetoden följde en kvalitativ forskningsdesign, med semistrukturerade intervjuer genomförda bland experter och yrkesverksamma inom banksektorn som den primära metoden för datainsamling. Studien applicerade dessutom ramverket Technological-Organizational-Environmental (TOE) för att analysera införandet av hållbara praxis i banksektorn. Detta ramverk möjliggjorde en omfattande förståelse för den flerdimensionella naturen av övergången mot nettonollutsläpp, med hänsyn till de sammankopplade aspekterna av teknik, organisation och externa faktorer. Studiens resultat ger värdefulla insikter om de huvudsakliga drivkrafterna och strategierna som bankerna behöver för att fatta beslut om sina IT-strategier, särskilt i samband med övergången till nettonollutsläpp. Det kritiska behovet av miljömässig hållbarhet och dess integrering i strategisk planering har vuxit fram som centrala drivkrafter, vilket har lett till att Grön IT har antagits för att balansera operativ effektivitet med miljömässigt ansvarstagande. Denna strategi har påverkat bankers respons och anpassning genom att stödja självgranskande resurshantering, integrera hållbarhet i organisationskulturen, och forma en miljömedveten arbetskraft. Sammanfattningsvis, trots mångfald av utmaningar, visar banker motståndskraft och anpassningsförmåga i sin övergång mot hållbarhet, vilket indikerar en framtid av kontinuerlig innovation och omformande metoder som är starkt förankrade i hållbarhet. Resultaten från denna studie bidrar till det befintliga kunskapsfältet, och erbjuder djupare insikter i samspelet mellan bankpraxis och den kritiska övergången mot nettonollutsläpp. Framtida studier kan ytterligare berika denna förståelse genom att utforska effektiviteten i bankers hållbarhetsinitiativ, deras framsteg mot uppsatta hållbarhetsmål, och den utvecklande rollen för Grön IT i att driva hållbar bankverksamhet.

身為台灣中小企業一員的汽車零配件貿易公司，在面對(汽車)產業大環境的劇烈轉變與中國大陸供應商的強勢競爭下，為了不被市場淘汰，透過建置其策略地圖、商品分類與顧客分析，重新檢視企業本身的資訊管理策略，計劃相關專案，並配合該公司所重視的營運指標與其資訊執行能力程度，做為判斷各專案的優先順序的依據，進而分配各相關專案預算；確保從規劃企業資訊策略到執行專案的所有步驟，皆以符合策略地圖上所描述”創造企業競爭優勢和策略價值”為目的。 / Being one of Taiwanese small and medium enterprises, an Auto Parts and Accessories trading company, suffers from the rapid change of the market and the fierce competitions from Chinese suppliers. In order to survive in the business environment, the company sets up the Strategy Map, makes the Product Categorization and Customer Portfolios Analyses, to get the best IT planning and initiate several IT projects to support its internal management processes. Also, according to its Business Criticality and Technology Maturity indicators, the company makes the priority for its IT projects and allocates the budgets. These actions are taken as the accomplishments of differentiating from market competitions and creating the strategic values just like the goals of its Strategy Map described.

This thesis focuses on the decision-making on IT investment. The main aim of this work is to present the comprehensive picture of the efficient investing which is further extended by the analysis of possibility of using the services of consulting company when deciding on investments in enterprise informatics. The reader is acquainted with the main areas of investment decision-making and planning. Attention is devoted to the topic of information strategy, costs and effects of enterprise IT. The thesis further continues with the detailed analysis and evaluation of methods of investment decision-making. Subsequently, the model processes typical for enterprise informatics are introduced. The analytical part presents the possibility of using services of external specialists. The advantages and principles of cooperation between the customer and consulting firm are illustrated on a detailed analysis of the processes of Logio Ltd., which is consulting firm where author of the thesis worked as an intern. Many conclusions can be immediately applied in practice. The work can be beneficial for organizations considering investments in enterprise informatics and especially for those managements of corporations that are contemplating the utilisation of consulting companies.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-08T15:34:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 B_Andrea Paiva.pdf: 453869 bytes, checksum: ac1632b2df117e5509b3cf3be9b84281 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-12-15 / The Information Technology (IT) has an important function in the communication and in competencies generation in the organizations, however, the simple use of the IT is not a competitive differential anymore, the differential is the way as the organizations use it. It is necessary to use it by strategic ways to generate value to the business. Another subject that is much discussed in academic researches, and each time more used by the companies, is the outsourcing of IT resources, more specifically, information systems outsourcing. As main objective, this study proposes to verify the influence that the outsourcing strategy of information systems has on the alignment between the business strategy and IT strategy. The research method used is the case study, being the data collection carried through the analysis of documents and interviews with directors of business and IT areas, based in the models of alignment between business and IT strategy and the theories related with the information systems outsourcing identified in literature. The Alfa Financial Conglomerate was chosen for the accomplishment of the field research, for filling the criteria of selection of organizations for this research, therefore it presents solid experience in IT outsourcing processes. The outsourcing experience is common to the entire financial conglomerate, due to the fact that the IT administration is common to all companies of the group. It is verified for the presented data, adherence to the models of Luftman (2000) and Reich and Benbasat (2000) and is concluded that the Alfa Financial Conglomerate presents high level of strategic alignment between business and IT, not being in its totality an optimized process, however, walking for such classification. Moreover, the influence that the outsourcing strategy of information systems exerts on the alignment is more strongly identified in the application of the model of Luftman (2000). As conclusion have been proposed bases for a model of alignment between business and IT strategy that complain the junction of the variants identified by Luftman (2000) and Reich and Benbasat (2000) for such use, giving emphasis to the ones that makes possible to identify the influence of the information systems outsourcing in the alignment. As theoretical contribution, it is believed that the realized research has allowed not only the test of the models, but also qualitative advances that can support new proposals and research of bigger amplitude and refinement with the inclusion of a new variable: the information systems outsourcing. In terms of practical contributions, is expected that this research has collaborated validating and stimulating the use of a tool for the taking of decisions regarding the information systems outsourcing, in such way that this decision does not harm and, been preferentially used in benefit of the alignment between the business and IT strategy. / A Tecnologia de Informação (TI) tem papel importante na comunicação e na geração de competências nas organizações, porém, o simples uso da tecnologia de informação não é mais um diferencial competitivo, o diferencial fica por conta do modo como as organizações a empregam. É preciso usá-la de forma estratégica para gerar valor ao negócio. Outro tema bastante abordado nas pesquisas acadêmicas, e cada vez mais utilizado pelas empresas, é a terceirização de recursos de TI, mas especificamente os sistemas de informação. Como principal objetivo, este estudo se propôs a verificar a influência que a estratégia de terceirização de sistemas de informação tem sobre o alinhamento entre estratégia de negócios e de TI. O método de pesquisa utilizado é o estudo de caso, sendo a coleta de dados realizada por meio de análise de documentos e entrevistas com diretores das áreas de negócio e TI baseadas nos modelos de alinhamento entre estratégia de negócios e de TI e teorias relacionadas com a terceirização de sistemas de informação identificados na literatura. O Conglomerado Financeiro Alfa foi escolhido para a realização da pesquisa de campo, por preencher os critérios de seleção de organizações para esta pesquisa, pois apresenta sólida experiência com processos de terceirização de TI. A experiência de terceirização é comum a todo o conglomerado financeiro, pois a administração de TI é comum a todas as empresas do grupo. Verifica-se pelos dados apresentados, aderência aos modelos de Luftman (2000) e Reich e Benbasat (2000) e conclui-se que o Conglomerado Financeiro Alfa apresenta alto nível de alinhamento estratégico entre negócios e TI não sendo ainda em sua totalidade um processo otimizado, porém, caminhando para tal classificação. Além disso, a influência que a estratégia de terceirização de sistemas de informação exerce sobre o alinhamento é identificada mais fortemente na aplicação do modelo de Luftman (2000). Como conclusão foram propostas bases para um modelo de alinhamento entre estratégia de negócios e TI que contemplam a junção das variáveis identificadas por Luftman (2000) e Reich e Benbasat (2000) para tal fim, destacando as que possibilitam identificar a influência da terceirização de sistemas de informação no alinhamento. Como contribuição teórica, acredita-se que a pesquisa realizada permitiu não somente o teste dos modelos como também avanços qualitativos que se prestam a alicerçar novas proposições e pesquisas de maior amplitude e refinamento com a inclusão de uma nova variável: a terceirização de sistemas de informação. Em termos de contribuições práticas, espera-se que esta pesquisa tenha colaborado validando e estimulando o uso de uma ferramenta para a tomada de decisões a respeito da terceirização de sistemas de informação de forma que tal decisão não prejudique e, preferencialmente seja usada em favor do alinhamento entre estratégia de negócios e de TI.

This study aims to investigate and identify factors within the social dimension of strategic alignment that can create mis-alignment within the organization and its IT projects. Identified factors are seen as risks and obstacles that organizations should work with to prevent strategic misalignment in future projects. The study examines the implementation of a common CRM-system (Customer relationship management) for a global organization based in Sweden. The study is anonymized to protect the organization and its respondents. Data collection has been performed using a triangulation based on semi-structured interviews with project members from both the IT and business department, documentation about the CRM project, the case organization's IT strategy and results from related research. The study took place during the COVID-19 pandemic and was thus carried out remotely using digital tools. A total of 17 factors were identified, of which 8 are unique to this study that has a direct impact on the case organization's strategic alignment within the CRM project. These factors have also been the basis for placing the case organization in a maturity pyramid for strategic alignment. Communication and knowledge sharing between IT and business, remnants of old legacy from silo operations and previously unsuccessful CRM projects, shortcomings in time planning and resource allocation, weak preparation, lack of training and low commitment are examples of what the results of this research identify affect strategic alignment for large Swedish organizations in projects. / Denna studie syftar att undersöka och identifiera faktorer inom den sociala dimensionen av strategisk linjering som kan skapa strategisk fel-linjering inom organisationer och dess IT-projekt. Identifierade faktorer ses som risker och hinder som organisationer bör arbeta med för att förhindra strategisk fel-linjering inom framtida projekt.  Studien undersöker implementeringen av ett gemensamt CRM-system (Customer relationship management) för en global organisation med säte i Sverige. Studien är anonymiserad för att skydda organisationen och dess respondenter. Datainsamling har utförts med hjälp av en triangulering som grundar sig i  semistrukturerade intervjuer med projektmedlemmar från både IT- och affärsverksamheten, dokumentation om CRM-projektet och fallorganisationens IT-strategi samt resultat från relaterad forskning. Studien ägde rum under COVID-19 pandemin och utfördes därmed på distans med hjälp av digitala verktyg. Totalt identifierades 17 faktorer varav 8 unika för denna studien som har en direkt inverkan på fallorganisationens strategisk linjering inom CRM-projektet. Dessa har faktorer har även legat till grunden för att placera fallorganasitonen i en mognads pyramid för strategisk linjering. Kommunikation och kunskapsdelning mellan IT- och affärsverksamheten, kvarlevor av gammalt arv från siloverksamheter och tidigare misslyckade CRM-projekt, brister i tidsplanering och resursallokering, svagt förarbete, brist på utbildning och lågt engagemang är exempel på vad resultatet från denna forskning identifierar påverka strategisk linjering för stora svenska organisationer i projekt.

Small/medium sized public sector IT organisations combine several characteristics that difficult the effective use of an IT strategy. Research has reported small/medium sized organisations as using unstructured and informal IT management initiatives, which frequently leads to inexistent or incipient use of IT strategy. On the other hand, for public sector the use of robust management is relevant in order to ensure transparency/accountability and facilitate the obtainment of resources. However, the instability that governmental changes create to the management of municipalities as organisation does not contribute to it. With the context described the use of IT strategy is challenged in these types of organisations. IT strategy management discusses the processes/practices to develop, improve and monitor IT strategy. This is a perspective with specific processes and practices at different managerial levels (strategic, tactical and operational) that give a structure in order to produce an IT strategy. This concept provides a systematic alternative to deal with IT strategy that can support to the craft of developing a strategy. The recent introduction of the IT strategy topic in IT service management has made a contribution to this area. Therefore the use of IT strategy management following a service perspective could be a straightforward alternative to deal with IT strategy in small/medium sized IT organizations of the public sector. However, the proposals of IT service management and IT strategy management are defined to be used for IT organisations in a mature stage, which is something demanding and ambitious for the organisations that are being studied. Therefore, this research proposes an approach to use IT strategy management concept with a service perspective in these types of organisations. This thesis presents the research work implemented in order to develop alternatives for analysing IT strategy management practices in small/medium sized public sector IT organisations. The results of this work are two artefacts: a method (AITSS method) and a maturity model. Both artefacts deal with the analysis of IT strategy management using two complementary approaches. The AITSS method proposes an operational-tactical-orientated alternative to address IT strategy management in the context of small/medium sized IT organisations. The maturity model proposes a more strategy orientated alternative for improving the organisational situation of public sector IT organizations. The maturity model can be used to have a perspective of IT strategy management and the assets and environmental factors related to it; the AITSS method can be used to assess more specific practices for IT strategy management at individual level. The method and maturity model were developed following a design science approach from a qualitative perspective, considering as the unit of analysis the IT organisations of the Nicaraguan municipal governments, which therefore were used to define the context considered in this research. The main contributions to this research are, from a practical perspective, the artefacts designed for its suitability in a context that has been disregarded in previous research, and from a theoretical perspective the contextual knowledge used to design the proposed method. As consequence of this study it was observed the relevance of the context for the harnessing of IT management frameworks which are generally assumed as generic solutions for any context, but in practice are challenged for it. / QC 20111212. Sponsored by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA)