Information Systems strategic planning and IS function performance: an empirical study

Abstract

The validity of managerial activities such as strategic planning have come under increasing scrutiny in recent years. In particular, the validity of information systems strategic planning (ISSP) within South African organisations remains to be demonstrated by empirically confirming its link to IS performance measures. This paper presents findings from an empirical study of ISSP involving responses from 100 listed public companies. Results indicate that emphasis placed on ISSP activities, planning commitment and integration mechanisms are significantly related to IS function performance. More successful IS functions were found to place more emphasis on ISSP activities, to commit greater resources to ISSP and to attribute greater importance to the integration of ISSP and business strategic planning processes, than poor performing IS functions. Planning experience was not found to moderate the relationships.