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From IT deployment capabilities to competitive advantage: An exploratory study in China

Author

Listed:
  • Jun Tian

    (Xi’an Jiaotong University)

  • Kanliang Wang

    (Xi’an Jiaotong University)

  • Yan Chen

    (Xi’an Jiaotong University)

  • Björn Johansson

    (Copenhagen Business School)

Abstract

As more and more companies are deploying, or plan to deploy, information systems, the organizational capabilities to effectively deploy information technologies to support and shape businesses become increasingly important. While many studies have focused on how to acquire state-of-the-art information technologies and on how to effectively utilize implemented information technologies, more studies are still needed to investigate how a company can successfully deploy acquired information technologies to support and shape businesses strategies and value chain activities. IT deployment capabilities are defined as the organizational capabilities to configure and reconfigure a company’s information system by adding new IT components or by adapting the existing information systems in order to make the whole information system available to support and shape businesses. This study identifies and investigates the three building blocks of IT deployment capabilities: strategic IT flexibility, business–IT partnership, and business–IT alignment. Using the resource-based view, we propose a framework to explain the relationship between IT deployment capabilities and competitive advantage. The research model is tested on data collected in China. Results show that strategic IT flexibility and business–IT partnership have direct impacts on competitive advantage, while business–IT alignment has an indirect impact on competitive advantage. The effect of business–IT alignment on competitive advantage is fully mediated by strategic IT flexibility and business–IT partnership. The results provide support for the relationship between IT deployment capabilities and competitive advantage. The study presents implications for how to develop IT deployment capabilities and how to generate business value from IT investment.

Suggested Citation

  • Jun Tian & Kanliang Wang & Yan Chen & Björn Johansson, 2010. "From IT deployment capabilities to competitive advantage: An exploratory study in China," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 12(3), pages 239-255, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:infosf:v:12:y:2010:i:3:d:10.1007_s10796-009-9182-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10796-009-9182-z
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    Cited by:

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    3. Siddharth Gaurav Majhi & Ambuj Anand & Arindam Mukherjee & Nripendra P. Rana, 2022. "The Optimal Configuration of IT-Enabled Dynamic Capabilities in a firm’s Capabilities Portfolio: a Strategic Alignment Perspective," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 24(5), pages 1435-1450, October.
    4. Pournader, Mehrdokht & Ghaderi, Hadi & Hassanzadegan, Amir & Fahimnia, Behnam, 2021. "Artificial intelligence applications in supply chain management," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    5. Muhammad Irfan & Mingzheng Wang & Naeem Akhtar, 2019. "Impact of IT capabilities on supply chain capabilities and organizational agility: a dynamic capability view," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 12(3), pages 113-128, December.
    6. Chulhwan Chris Bang, 2015. "Information systems frontiers: Keyword analysis and classification," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 17(1), pages 217-237, February.
    7. Mirchandani, Dinesh A. & Lederer, Albert L., 2014. "The impact of core and infrastructure business activities on information systems planning and effectiveness," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 34(5), pages 622-633.
    8. P. Bharati & C. Zhang & A. Chaudhury, 2014. "Social media assimilation in firms: Investigating the roles of absorptive capacity and institutional pressures," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 16(2), pages 257-272, April.
    9. Yunis, Manal & Tarhini, Abbas & Kassar, Abdulnasser, 2018. "The role of ICT and innovation in enhancing organizational performance: The catalysing effect of corporate entrepreneurship," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 344-356.
    10. Gu, Qiannong & Jitpaipoon, Thawatchai & Yang, Jie, 2017. "The impact of information integration on financial performance: A knowledge-based view," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 191(C), pages 221-232.

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