A preliminary testing of the strategic IT decision making model

Abstract

Strategic IT decisions are critical and can result in major impacts on an organization’s ability to remain competitive. Improved management of influencing factors on such decisions can lead to a reduction of cost overruns and greater return on the investment of large-scale IT expenditures. However, limited IS research has investigated strategic IT decision making processes and their associated influencing factors. To address the current knowledge gap, Tamm et al. (2014) proposed a Strategic IT Decision Making Model (SITDMM) based on a comprehensive literature synthesis. However, the SITDMM had not been tested with empirical data. This research-in-progress paper conducted a preliminary testing of the SITDM model by using a qualitative approach. An initial interview was conducted with a senior executive who was involved in a strategic IT decision at an Australian pharmaceutical company. The preliminary testing of the model demonstrates the usefulness of the SITDMM in capturing key influencing factors affecting the strategic decision making process in the case organization. This paper demonstrates that the Top Management Team played the most significant role in influencing the extent to which the SITDMM process was analytical, intuitive, and political. These factors influenced the final decision outcome. Future research will include the analysis of more strategic IT decision cases in order to further test the SITDMM and provide a framework which organizations can use to better assess and therefore manage factors influencing strategic IT decision making processes.