Complementarities and alignment of information systems management and supply chain management

Abstract

Although prior research has generated considerable knowledge on the importance of information systems management (ISM) and supply chain management (SCM) for improving business performance, the findings are at best inconsistent and at worst contradictory. This is because one of the key issues concerning the effectiveness of their implementation - the alignment of ISM and SCM - is under-explored. The lack of understanding on the alignment of ISM and SCM has prevented the full exploitation of their implementation that will contribute to improvements in business performance. Drawing on the organisation theory, this study attempts to: examine the complementarities in the philosophical emphases of ISM and SCM investigate how they could complement each other provide illustrative case examples on the performance implications of alignment and misalignment in their implementation. This study advances knowledge on the alignment of ISM and SCM practices and highlights the importance of recognising the complementarities of ISM and SCM in their implementation efforts. © 2009 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.