Article: A proposed model for achieving cloud computing strategic alignment using a mixed method approach: cloud service providers Journal: International Journal of Business Information Systems (IJBIS) 2020 Vol.35 No.3 pp.378 - 400 Abstract: Comparing traditional businesses, new technologies such as cloud computing have faced new challenges to achieve strategic alignment between IT and business. Therefore, identifying the factors affecting the strategic alignment in the cloud computing environment is essential. Hence, this study aims to introduce a model for cloud computing strategic alignment considering the role of IT governance. In this regard, the Luftman's strategic alignment framework was used as a reference model and was analysed using qualitative and quantitative approaches. In the qualitative part, the meta-synthesis approach was used to identify the factors, and then these factors were placed in appropriate categories using experts' ideas. Next, in the quantitative part, the chi-square test was used to analyse the hypothesis and the Friedman test was used to prioritise the concepts, categories and subcategories. The results indicate that IT governance plays an important role in creating the strategic alignment in a cloud. Moreover, two factors of security service management and the contextual and environmental factors of the cloud were identified as the important factors which help managers create value through IT investments. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: A proposed model for achieving cloud computing strategic alignment using a mixed method approach: cloud service providers

Authors: Mozhgan Marashi; Neda Abdolvand

Addresses: Faculty of Social Sciences and Economics, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran ' Management Department, Faculty of Social Sciences and Economics, Alzahra University, Vanak Village Street, 1993893973, Tehran, Iran

Abstract: Comparing traditional businesses, new technologies such as cloud computing have faced new challenges to achieve strategic alignment between IT and business. Therefore, identifying the factors affecting the strategic alignment in the cloud computing environment is essential. Hence, this study aims to introduce a model for cloud computing strategic alignment considering the role of IT governance. In this regard, the Luftman's strategic alignment framework was used as a reference model and was analysed using qualitative and quantitative approaches. In the qualitative part, the meta-synthesis approach was used to identify the factors, and then these factors were placed in appropriate categories using experts' ideas. Next, in the quantitative part, the chi-square test was used to analyse the hypothesis and the Friedman test was used to prioritise the concepts, categories and subcategories. The results indicate that IT governance plays an important role in creating the strategic alignment in a cloud. Moreover, two factors of security service management and the contextual and environmental factors of the cloud were identified as the important factors which help managers create value through IT investments.

Keywords: cloud computing; information technology governance; ITG; cloud service providers; strategic alignment; meta-synthesis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBIS.2020.111415

International Journal of Business Information Systems, 2020 Vol.35 No.3, pp.378 - 400

Received: 27 Jan 2018
Accepted: 12 Oct 2018
Published online: 26 Nov 2020 *

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Title: A proposed model for achieving cloud computing strategic alignment using a mixed method approach: cloud service providers

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