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e-Leadership through strategic alignment: an empirical study of small- and medium-sized enterprises in the digital age
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2016 | Journal of Information Technology | Citations: 0
Authors: Li, Weizi; Liu, Kecheng; Belitski, Maksim; Ghobadian, Abby; O'Regan, Nicholas

Abstract: Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play an important role in the Europea ... Expand

Abstract: Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play an important role in the European economy. A critical challenge faced by SME leaders, as a consequence of the continuing digital technology revolution, is how to optimally align business strategy with digital technology to fully leverage the potential offered by these technologies in pursuit of longevity and growth. There is a paucity of empirical research examining how e-leadership in SMEs drives successful alignment between business strategy and digital technology fostering longevity and growth. To address this gap, in this paper we develop an empirically derived e-leadership model. Initially we develop a theoretical model of e-leadership drawing on strategic alignment theory. This provides a theoretical foundation on how SMEs can harness digital technology in support of their business strategy enabling sustainable growth. An in-depth empirical study was undertaken interviewing 42 successful European SME leaders to validate, advance and substantiate our theoretically driven model. The outcome of the two stage process – inductive development of a theoretically driven e-leadership model and deductive advancement to develop a complete model through in-depth interviews with successful European SME leaders – is an e-leadership model with specific constructs fostering effective strategic alignment. The resulting diagnostic model enables SME decision makers to exercise effective e-leadership by creating productive alignment between business strategy and digital technology improving longevity and growth prospects. Collapse

Semantic filters: strategic alignment theory

Topics: IT alignment information systems strategy innovation management digital entrepreneurship strategic management

Methods: qualitative interview literature study qualitative coding personal interview descriptive statistic

Theories: strategic alignment theory leadership theory
The Performance Impacts of Quick Response and Strategic Alignment in Specialty Retailing
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2000 | Information Systems Research | Citations: 101
Authors: Palmer, Jonathan W.; Markus, M. Lynne

Abstract: The Quick Response (QR) program is a hierarchical suite of information technolog ... Expand

Abstract: The Quick Response (QR) program is a hierarchical suite of information technologies (IT) and applications designed to improve the performance of retailers. Consultants advise retailers to adopt the program wholesale, implying that more and higher levels of technology are better than less technology and lower levels. Academicians, on the other hand, argue that good technology is “appropriate” technology. That is firms should adopt only those technologies that suit the specific strategic directions pursued by the firm. Who is right? Which approach to investing in IT yields better performance results? Surprisingly, this cross-sectional survey of 80 specialty retailers found more support for the practitioners' claims than for the academicians'. Adoption of the QR program at a minimal level was associated with higher performance, although there was no performance impact due to higher levels of QR use. Firms did appear to match their IT usage to their business strategies, but there was no linkage between strategic alignment and firm performance, and there was surprisingly little variation in business or IT strategy. In short, the findings of our study suggest that both practitioners and academicians need to refine their theories and advice about what makes IT investments pay off. Collapse

Semantic filters: strategic alignment theory

Topics: IT alignment organizational productivity information systems strategy strategic management IT investment

Methods: survey regression analysis method statistical hypothesis test cross sectional research cross sectional survey

Theories: strategic alignment theory

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Found 2 articles

e-Leadership through strategic alignment: an empirical study of small- and medium-sized enterprises in the digital age

The Performance Impacts of Quick Response and Strategic Alignment in Specialty Retailing