The Role of Knowledge Management in the Strategic Alignment of Information Technology with Business: An Alternative and Complementary View

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 a graphical and systemic view of KM, especially in a context of reaching an alignment between IT and Business strategies.

Keywords: knowledge management, strategic alignment, IT strategy, business strategy, knowledge enhancement, shared knowledge