Strategic alignment and Information Systems success: Towards an evaluation model for firm performance

There are several models about the development of a successful Information Systems Planning process, while very little research has focused on the contribution of the Strategic Information Systems Planning (SISP) process to firm performance. The assessment of the process is a decision problem and managers should evaluate alternatives so that it could be solved. Both executives and researchers need to be aware of how the alignment of business and IS strategies impact firm performance. The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual model of the determinants of the SISP process and success in Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to assess the contribution of these two variables to firm performance. Understanding those phases may help IS executives concentrate their efforts on organizations’ objectives and recognize the greatest value of the planning process in their firms. This paper contributes to IS executives in Greek SMEs who do not concentrate on strategic planning during the development of IS and they focus only on the technical issues. As a result, they should understand the significance of the SISP process in order to formulate and implement IS strategy which will be aligned with business objectives and increase the success of SMEs

Evaluating IT alignment and performance in SMEs using multivariate regression analysis

New competitive challenges have forced Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to re-examine their internal environment in order to improve competitive advantage. IT investments can improve firm performance in a way that it would be in “alignment” with business strategy. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the contemporary impact of IT and business strategy on business performance, incorporating all these constructs into a model that is tested using Multivariate Regression Analysis. Data were collected from IS executives in 160 Greek SMEs. The results of this survey show that Strategy conception and formulation have a significant impact on business performanc

Digital Business Strategy: An Empirical Analysis of Mission statement content and Financial Performance

The mission statement identifies the fundamental raison d\u27être of an organization. However, developing such a document seems to be quite difficult, since most businesses end up crafting a meaningless text. Indeed, it is crucial to evaluate the content of the mission statement. The purpose of this chapter is to examine the relationship between the components of mission statement and financial performance in e-businesses. This was accomplished through one way ANOVA and t-test analysis. The findings of the research indicated that there isn’t a positive relationship between the mission statement and the performance of digital businesses. In addition, it was revealed that only one component had a positive and statistically significant correlation with a financial index. All other correlations were weak and statistically insignificant

Information Systems Strategy and Security Policy: A Conceptual Framework

As technology evolves, businesses face new threats and opportunities in the areas of information and information assets. These areas include information creation, refining, storage, and dissemination. Governments and other organizations around the world have begun prioritizing the protection of cyberspace as a pressing international issue, prompting a renewed emphasis on information security strategy development and implementation. While every nation’s information security strategy is crucial, there has not been much work conducted to define a method for gauging national cybersecurity attitudes that takes into account factors and indicators that are specific to that nation. In order to develop a framework that incorporates issues based on the current research in this area, this paper will examine the fundamentals of the information security strategy and the factors that affect its integration. This paper contributes by providing a model based on the ITU cybersecurity decisions, with the goal of developing a roadmap for the successful development and implementation of the National Cybersecurity Strategy in Greece, as well as identifying the factors at the national level that may be aligned with a country’s cybersecurity level

Hackathons for Driving Service Innovation Strategies: The Evolution of a Digital Platform-Based Ecosystem

Despite the fact that hackathons and digital innovation contests have emerged as substantial intermediaries in open innovation and entrepreneurship, knowledge about how hackathons and digital innovation contests impact innovation in cities is restricted. There is also a scarcity of models that aid in the organization of digital innovation contests. Based on the existing frameworks for contest organizations, the aim of this article is to present a case study which develops a framework for hosting and evaluating open data hackathons. The hackathon framework is developed from the organizer’s viewpoint, and it has been executed in three digital innovation competitions in Thessaloniki. The suggested scheme adds new knowledge to the field of open data and digital innovation competitions while also providing practitioners with opportunities to host digital contests. Moreover, this framework offers hackathon organizers with regulations and resources to help them plan innovation contests that contribute to the betterment of an open data ecosystem

Digital innovation and entrepreneurship through open data-based platforms: Critical success factors for hackathons

Despite the fact that hackathons and digital innovation contests have emerged as substantial intermediaries in open innovation and entrepreneurship, knowledge about how hackathons and digital innovation contests impact innovation in cities is restricted. There is also a scarcity of models that aid in the organization and evaluation of digital innovation contests. The purpose of this article is to examine the stages for organizing hackathons and digital innovation contests and identifies factors leading to the successful implementation of open data hackathons and digital innovation competitions. Three hackathons and innovation contests held in Thessaloniki between 2014 and 2018 were studied. The proposed framework provides practitioners with options to hold digital contests while also advancing the state of the art in the fields of open data and innovation competitions. Organizers of hackathon events may find this paper useful because they can learn about the factors that must be taken into account to ensure the success of these events

Artificial Intelligence and Business Strategy towards Digital Transformation: A Research Agenda

In the past decade, current literature and businesses have drawn attention to Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and in particular to the advances in machine learning techniques. Nevertheless, while the AI technology offers great potential to solve difficulties, challenges remain implicated in practical implementation and lack of expertise in the strategic usage of AI to create business value. This paper aims to implement a systematic literature review analyzing convergence of the AI and corporate strategy and develop a theoretical model incorporating issues based on the existing research in this field. Eighty-one peer-reviewed articles were discussed on the basis of research methodology from Webster and Watson (2002). In addition to gaps in future research, a theoretical model is developed, discussing the four sources of value creation: AI and Machine Learning in organizations; alignment of AI tools and Information Technology (IT) with organizational strategy; AI, knowledge management and decision-making process; and AI, service innovation and value. These outcomes lead to both theoretical and managerial viewpoints, with extensive possibilities to generate new methods and types of management practices

Hackathons for driving service innovation strategies: The evolution of a digital platform-based ecosystem

Despite the fact that hackathons and digital innovation contests have emerged as substantial intermediaries in open innovation and entrepreneurship, knowledge about how hackathons and digital innovation contests impact innovation in cities is restricted. There is also a scarcity of models that aid in the organization of digital innovation contests. Based on the existing frameworks for contest organizations, the aim of this article is to present a case study which develops a framework for hosting and evaluating open data hackathons. The hackathon framework is developed from the organizer's viewpoint, and it has been executed in three digital innovation competitions in Thessaloniki. The suggested scheme adds new knowledge to the field of open data and digital innovation competitions while also providing practitioners with opportunities to host digital contests. Moreover, this framework offers hackathon organizers with regulations and resources to help them plan innovation contests that contribute to the betterment of an open data ecosystem

How Managers Use Information Systems for Strategy Implementation in Agritourism SMEs

Agritourism is long established and the interest in diversification of agricultural enterprises into tourism has increased. However, many challenges have emerged regarding the lack of appropriate skills, strategic planning, Information Systems (IS), as well as increased costs in production processes. In Greece, the contribution of agritourism to economic growth has increased in the last decade, but the relationship between the agricultural sector and agritourism is a reason for certain people having largely taken advantage from the development of tourism in a specific area. Greek businesses operating in the agritourism sector are seeking long-term sustainability. However, they lack strategic planning and effective use of IS. As the strategic implementation of Information Technology (IT) in Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the agritourism sector is under-researched, this paper aims to investigate how the process of Strategic Information Systems Planning (SISP) affects the success of Greek SMEs in the agritourism industry. IS executives completed the survey and ANOVA analysis was used for data analysis. The findings of the paper indicate that IS executives do not focus on the analysis of the external environment and the evaluation of opportunities for IS development. In addition, the lack of formulation of the IT strategy creates inefficient and unsuccessful IT projects

Στρατηγικός σχεδιασμός και πληροφοριακά συστήματα στις μικρομεσαίες επιχειρήσεις: αξιολόγηση της επιτυχίας και της απόδοσης

This thesis aims to (1) indicate the phases of Strategic Information Systems Planning (SISP); (2) indicate the phases that contribute to a greater extent of success; (3) indicate the phases that contribute to firm performance; and (4) investigate the effect of the use of SISP on Information Systems (IS) executives’ satisfaction. All data was obtained in 294 Greek Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from IS executives. Factor Analysis, Structural Equation Modeling, Ordinal Regression Analysis and Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) were used to analyze data. This thesis has theoretical and practical contribution for both academics and IS executives. The findings of this survey lead to an understanding of IS strategic planning’s use by executives. It is essential that they should be knowledgeable about it and that the tasks of IS strategic planning should not be ignored. It is possible that by understanding the process of IS strategy and its importance, IS executives will be helped not only concentrate on organizational goals but also realize that the planning process has the greatest importance to their business. Otherwise, there will be difficulties in achieving them both. The results show that Information Technology (IT) investment assists managers to set business strategy focusing on the improvement of organizational market share, flexibility in work and generation of opportunities for new product development. In this way, what SMEs should do is identify and communicate a culture of innovation and alignment with business strategy and IT goals in order to increase flexibility in work and opportunities for new product development. IS planning and alignment are fields that include multiple conflicting objectives. Using methods such as Ordinal Regression Analysis or MCDA, decision makers can analyze alternatives and select the most appropriate for their problem during the implementation of IS strategic planning. IS planning should not be viewed solely through the lens of the periodic planning exercise. IS planning should also encompass the planning associated with IT investment decisions. By incorporating cooperation between business managers and IT managers in strategic IS planning, IT executives have the opportunity to examine the challenges in the implementation of IS projects and the impact of IS on the firm’s performance. By examining IT executives’ perceptions, they can identify the dimensions that should be improved during the implementation of IS projects and thus they can improve their satisfaction as well as their firm’s performance. This wider collaboration in IS planning can improve adaptability and increase congruence between IS planning and market needs.Στόχος της διατριβής είναι: (1) ο καθορισμός των φάσεων του Στρατηγικού Σχεδιασμού των Πληροφοριακών Συστημάτων, (2) η διερεύνηση της συμβολής κάθε φάσης στην επιτυχία του Στρατηγικού Σχεδιασμού των Πληροφοριακών Συστημάτων, (3) η μελέτη της επίδρασης κάθε φάσης του Στρατηγικού Σχεδιασμού των Πληροφοριακών Συστημάτων στην απόδοση της επιχείρησης και (4) η αξιολόγηση του βαθμού ικανοποίησης των στελεχών από την εφαρμογή του Στρατηγικού Σχεδιασμού των Πληροφοριακών Συστημάτων. Τα δεδομένα συλλέχθηκαν από 294 στελέχη Πληροφορικής Ελληνικών Μικρομεσαίων Επιχειρήσεων. Για την ανάλυση των δεδομένων εφαρμόστηκαν οι παρακάτω μέθοδοι: Η Παραγοντική Ανάλυση χρησιμοποιήθηκε για να αναδείξει τις φάσεις του Στρατηγικού Σχεδιασμού των Πληροφοριακών Συστημάτων. Στη συνέχεια, τα Δομικά Μοντέλα Εξισώσεων εφαρμόστηκαν για να αναδειχθούν οι φάσεις που επιδρούν στην επιτυχία του Στρατηγικού Σχεδιασμού των Πληροφοριακών Συστημάτων. Η μέθοδος «Ordinal Regression Analysis» εφαρμόστηκε για να αναδειχθούν οι φάσεις του Στρατηγικού Σχεδιασμού των Πληροφοριακών Συστημάτων που επιδρούν στην απόδοση των επιχειρήσεων. Τέλος, η Πολυκριτήρια μέθοδος ανάλυσης δεδομένων χρησιμοποιήθηκε για να αξιολογήσει τον βαθμό ικανοποίησης των στελεχών από την εφαρμογή του Στρατηγικού Σχεδιασμού των Πληροφοριακών Συστημάτων. Τα αποτελέσματα της έρευνας έδειξαν ότι τα στελέχη επενδύουν σε νέες τεχνολογίες με σκοπό την αύξηση του μεριδίου αγοράς της επιχείρησης, της ευελιξίας στη δουλειά και της ανάπτυξης καινοτόμων προϊόντων. Για την ενίσχυση του ανταγωνιστικού τους πλεονεκτήματος, οι Μικρομεσαίες επιχειρήσεις μπορούν να αναπτύξουν ένα κλίμα καινοτομίας το οποίο θα επιτρέπει την ευθυγράμμιση της επιχειρησιακής στρατηγικής με την στρατηγική των Πληροφοριακών Συστημάτων. Τα στελέχη Πληροφορικής δεν πρέπει να είναι ενήμερα μόνο για τα τεχνικά θέματα. Πολλές φορές τα στελέχη Πληροφορικής θέτουν στόχους που δεν ευθυγραμμίζονται με τους στόχους της επιχείρησης και επομένως τα συστήματα που αναπτύσσονται δεν συμβάλλουν στην αύξηση της απόδοσης και της καινοτομίας των επιχειρήσεων. Γι’ αυτό είναι αναγκαία η δημιουργία μιας κουλτούρας που θα προάγει την καινοτομία και την ευθυγράμμιση της επιχειρησιακής στρατηγικής με την στρατηγική των Πληροφοριακών Συστημάτων, ώστε να αυξηθεί η ανταγωνιστικότητα των επιχειρήσεων. Ακόμη ένα σημαντικό εύρημα της έρευνας είναι πως τα στελέχη Πληροφορικής επικεντρώνουν τις δράσεις τους κυρίως στην υλοποίηση του Στρατηγικού Σχεδιασμού των Πληροφοριακών Συστημάτων, αγνοώντας για τις άλλες φάσεις της διαδικασίας. Η εστίαση των προσπαθειών τους μόνο στην υλοποίηση της διαδικασίας επιφέρει πολλά προβλήματα παρόλο που εξοικονομείται χρόνος για την ανάπτυξη του συστήματος. Ενδέχεται να μην έχουν ευθυγραμμιστεί οι στρατηγικοί στόχοι της επιχείρησης με τους στόχους του Πληροφοριακού Συστήματος με αποτέλεσμα να αναπτυχθεί ένα σύστημα που δεν θα είναι προσαρμοσμένο στις ανάγκες της επιχείρησης. Αν τα στελέχη επικεντρώσουν τις δράσεις τους και στις υπόλοιπες φάσεις του Στρατηγικού Σχεδιασμού των Πληροφοριακών Συστημάτων, θα αυξηθεί η επιτυχία του Σχεδιασμού. Όταν τα στελέχη αναλύουν τα υπάρχοντα συστήματα της επιχείρησης, το εξωτερικό περιβάλλον, τις αλλαγές στην τεχνολογία και τα οργανωσιακά συστήματα της επιχείρησης μπορούν να ευθυγραμμίσουν την επιχειρησιακή στρατηγική με την στρατηγική των Πληροφοριακών Συστημάτων και να αναπτύξουν επιτυχημένα σχέδια Πληροφοριακών Συστημάτων χωρίς αυξημένο κόστος ή χρονικές καθυστερήσεις. Όταν τα στελέχη γνωρίζουν το εσωτερικό και εξωτερικό περιβάλλον της επιχείρησης μπορούν να αναγνωρίσουν ευκαιρίες που παρουσιάζονται και να αναπτύξουν τα κατάλληλα Πληροφοριακά Συστήματα που θα αυξήσουν την αποδοτικότητα της επιχείρησης