Home > Research > Publications & Outputs > The strategic role of information technology so...
View graph of relations

The strategic role of information technology sourcing: a dynamic capabilities perspective

Research output: Contribution in Book/Report/Proceedings - With ISBN/ISSNConference contribution/Paperpeer-review

Published
Publication date2010
Host publicationICIS 2010 31st International Conference on Information Systems Proceedings
EditorsRajiv Sabherwal, Mary Sumner
PublisherAssociation for Information Systems
ISBN (print)978-0-615-41898-8
<mark>Original language</mark>English
EventInternational Conference on Information Systems, ICIS 2010 - Missouri, St Louis, United States
Duration: 12/12/201015/12/2010

Conference

ConferenceInternational Conference on Information Systems, ICIS 2010
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySt Louis
Period12/12/1015/12/10

Conference

ConferenceInternational Conference on Information Systems, ICIS 2010
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySt Louis
Period12/12/1015/12/10

Abstract

Grounded in the theory of dynamic capabilities, our study offers a conceptualization of IS strategy that comprises two sets of dynamic capabilities: enterprise IT architecture dynamic capability and IT sourcing dynamic capability. We borrow from extant IS literature and define enterprise IT architecture dynamic capability as the capacity of an organization to purposefully extend, create or modify its IT competencies for tight alignment with the firm’s business strategy; and we offer the concept of IT sourcing dynamic capability that we define as the capacity of an organization to purposefully extend, create or modify its IT resource base to support the creation or modification of IT competencies for tight alignment with the firm’s business strategy. We theorize on how these two sets of capabilities combine to form the firm IS strategy, which either helps a firm respond to rapid changes in the environment or bring about changes in the business strategy, which may in turn provoke changes in the environment and thus provide a competitive advantage. Our theorizing will be informed by a case study of two business units facing rapid environmental change.