A theoretical exploration of the relationship between outsourcing and business/ict alignment

In this paper we examine the likely impact of two different outsourcing scenarios on business/ICT alignment. We argue that there is a need to put ICT outsourcing in a broader business context and that it has an important impact on how organisations align business and ICT. Based on previous literature we combine several conceptual models on both outsourcing and B/ICT alignment and identify the possible problem areas in each of these scenarios. The goal of this “theoretical exercise”, which is mainly based on argument, is to end the paper with a theoretical proposition which needs to be tested and backed by empirical data. Therefore, this paper should be regarded as the first step in a research process.

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