Title
Information systems use as strategy practice: A multi-dimensional view of strategic information system implementation and use
Abstract
Information systems (IS) are strategic in so far as they are used to realize strategic intent. Yet, while much has been said about aligning IS functionality with the strategic intent and how to organizationally implement strategically aligned systems, less is known of how to successfully implement strategic change associated with system use - a truly critical challenge within strategic IS implementation. Drawing on a strategy-as-practice perspective we address this gap by developing a multi-dimensional view of IS strategy, conceptualizing three key challenges in the IS strategy process, to explain how and why a paper mill, despite successfully implementing a strategic production management system, failed to produce intended strategic change. We call this outcome strategy blindness: organizational incapability to realize the strategic intent of implemented, available system capabilities. Using a longitudinal case study we investigate how cognitive rigidity of key actors and fixed, interrelated practices shaped the implementation of the new production system. We also identify core components and dynamics that constitute a richer multi-dimensional view of the IS strategy implementation (alignment) process. In particular, we identify three salient factors that contribute to strategy blindness - mistranslation of intent, flexibility of the IT artifact and cognitive entrenchment - and discuss how they affect strategic implementation processes. We conclude by discussing implications of our findings for IS strategy theory and practice, especially the contribution of strategy-as-practice to this stream of research.
Year
DOI
Venue
2014
10.1016/j.jsis.2014.01.004
J. Strategic Inf. Sys.
Keywords
DocType
Volume
strategic change,strategic implementation process,multi-dimensional view,strategy process,outcome strategy blindness,strategy implementation,strategy practice,strategic intent,available system capability,strategy theory,strategic production management system,information system,strategy blindness,strategic information system implementation,information systems
Journal
23
Issue
ISSN
Citations 
1
0963-8687
10
PageRank 
References 
Authors
0.48
30
3
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Viktor Arvidsson1122.54
Jonny HolmströM222217.82
Kalle Lyytinen35078443.19