Summary ISS lectures and papers

Explain three predominant literature streams in ISS.

Respuesta: 1. Strategic IS planning -> strategic processes of IS investment planning. 2. IS business strategic alignment -> IS are matched to business. 3. competitive use of IS -> IS is a goal on its own to gain and sustain competitive advantage.

Which three conceptions are generally applied to ISS?

Respuesta: 1. ISS as a support for business (Position strategy, aimed at competitive advantage, business perspective) 2. ISS as a masterplan for the IS function (Planning strategy, identify and allocate IS assets, IS function perspective) 3. ISS as a shared view of the role of IS within an organization. (future focussed IS strategy, organizational perspective)

Which 2 IS strategic typologies can be defined?

Respuesta: 1. IS innovator 2. IS conservative

What is the general idea of alignment between IT and organization?

Respuesta: IT and organizational structure have to follow each other on the structure continuum. (Centralized -> Federalized -> Decentralized)

What are the benefits of a decentralized IT structure. Are there any downsides?

Respuesta: Benefits: - IT customized to local needs. - Close partnerships between business unit and IT dep. - Flexible - Lower telecom costs - Business Unit has control over overhead costs. Downsides: - Difficulties in maintaining global standards and consistent data. - high infrastructure costs. - less economies of scale - less in control - duplication of staff and data.

What benefits and downsides may relate to centralized IT structures?

Respuesta: Benefits: - global standards and datacontrol. - economies of scale - leverage in supplier negotiations. - easier to deploy IT initiatives. - Large capacity acces. - Easier recruitment and training of IT staff. Downsides: - Gap between local needs and IT dep. - Difficulties gaining business unit support in IT mediated change. - Lack of control of overhead costs in Business Units.

What IT structure can an organization adopt to capture the benefits and eliminate the drawbacks of both decentralized and centralized IT structures?

Respuesta: Federalism

What IT structure can an organization adopt to capture the benefits and eliminate the drawbacks of both decentralized and centralized IT structures?

Respuesta: Federalism

What IT structure can an organization adopt to capture the benefits and eliminate the drawbacks of both decentralized and centralized IT structures?

Respuesta: Federalism

What are the most important IT management concerns both globally and in Europe?

Respuesta: 1. Business and IT alignment. 2. Business agility