2011 dhaliwal

As information technology (IT) management has become more strategic, IT management responsibility has shifted from internally-focused to business-partnership-focused. The literature largely takes for granted that all is well within the IT unit, however this is not always the case (e.g., tension may exist when developers create software functionality and testers point out its flaws). To investigate how to resolve the tension, we argue for a refocus on the management of IT sub-units. Unless this is done well, it will be difficult for the IT unit to continue to add strategic value. Using theoretical concepts from strategic business-IT alignment, we test a research model through a survey of developers and testers. Results suggest that relational but not structural dimensions influence IT sub-units alignment.