Page 111 - DCAP306_DCAP511_E-COMMERCE_AND_E-BUSINESS

E-Commerce and E-Business

Figure 8.5 depicts the way business strategy drivers the IT infrastructure.

Figure 8.5: Business Strategy as the Driver: Strategy
Execution

Source: Bajaj. K., and Nag. D. (1999). E-Commerce: The Cutting Edge of Business. New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill
Publishing Company Limited. Page 237.
IT strategy as the Enabler or Driver: Competitive Potential
IT Strategy – Business Strategy – Business Infrastructure
As per the perspective shown in figure 8.6, the IT strategy drives the business strategy, and this in turn
drives the business infrastructure. The organization tries to unveil the emerging IT competencies to
impact new services and products and/or enter the new businesses. As per this viewpoint, the business
strategy can be adapted with the help of emerging IT capabilities.
Figure 8.6: IT Strategy as the Driver or Enabler:
Competitive Potential

Source: Bajaj. K., and Nag. D. (1999). E-Commerce: The Cutting Edge of Business. New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill
Publishing Company Limited. Page 237.
The top management plays the role of business visionary. It has to articulate and understand the effect
of emerging IT competencies on business strategy. The performance criteria in this alignment
perspective are based on quantitative and qualitative measurements like market growth, share or a new
product introduction.

IT Strategy as the Enabler or Driver: Service Level
IT Strategy – IT Infrastructure – Business Infrastructure
As per the perspective shown in figure 8.7, the IT strategy drives the IT infrastructure, and this in turn
drives the business infrastructure. Here, the business strategy plays an indirect role as this approach

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