The Role of Knowledge Management in the Strategic Alignment of Information Technology with Business: An Alternative and Complementary View
European Conference on Knowledge Management, 2010
ABSTRACT The Information Technology (IT) team knowledge of business strategy and the organization... more ABSTRACT The Information Technology (IT) team knowledge of business strategy and the organization team knowledge of information technology are critical factors in the strategic business and IT alignment (BIA). These two factors have in common precisely the importance of "knowledge". The Information Technology team lack of knowledge about business and its strategy and vice-versa should be a major concern for the organization, since this knowledge strongly affects the possibility of an appropriate strategic alignment between business and the IT. It is significantly important to create an enabling environment for the growth of shared knowledge of the business area, encouraging professional IT with actions which increase learning and sensitivity to business issues. In addition to the business strategy and the strategy of IT, it should be highlighted the strategy of knowledge and the importance of alignment with the other two strategies. This article will illustrate the importance of knowledge management in the strategic BIA. It also shows the importance of create a shared knowledge environment for IT and Business teams and the definition of some knowledge growth strategies in Business and IT alignment context. This paper proposes an alternative and complementary view of KM, especially in a context of reaching an alignment between IT and Business strategies.
Uploads
Books by Fernando Belfo
lecturers and post-graduate students can benefit from an organized research structure centred in the fields of teaching to support lecturing activities since it provides a strong foundation and actuality of knowledge transmission. On the other end, research benefits with the participation of post-graduate students renewing and enlarging the research body. This
symbiotic operation helps keeping focus on the objectives of research and therefore contributes in a positive manner towards the maturity of the research centre and degrees offered by the host institution. The evolution of the research centre is closely related to the evolution of the teaching activities and the emergence of new research lines. Moreover, new degrees are contiguous to research areas and respond interchangeably to the inherent requirements of research and teaching.
This unit promotes a close relationship with industry through research and developing, gathering students and researchers, that materializes in transfer of advanced knowledge and technology to industry and services sector of the economy. In the condition of recently created, this Unit has given the first steps in the field of research and the first results are promising. The Unit provides now the scientific background support in advanced teaching
giving aid to the recently approved master’s degrees. It should be noted that only this year the host institution is allowed to give doctoral degrees which contribute now in a positive manner to a consistent growth of research. The Unit also supports the creation of new degrees at professional level, working as a consultancy body.
The specific objectives of this unit are: Increase innovation and applied research in Mechanical Engineering; Improve industrial productivity; Increase product and environmental quality; Increase entrepreneurial competitiveness; Optimize and rationalize design, production and company management systems; Improve industrial safety; Promote professional specialization and qualification; Promote direct and indirect support to high education.
Areas of Expertise: Artificial Intelligence; Automation and Control; Sustainability, Energy and Environment; Knowledge Management; Lean Thinking; Materials; Operations Management; Production.
Papers by Fernando Belfo