The Effect of IST Structure and Competitive Strategy on Competitive Advantage : An Empirical Investigation

실증적분석을 통한 전략정보 시스템 구축 방안에 관한 연구 -경쟁적인 우위를 얻기 위한 정보기술 구조와 경쟁 전략-

In a study involving 52 large organizations in the savings institutions industry, the relationship between information systems technology (IST) structure and competitive strategy was investigated based on structural contingency theory. Structural contingency theory argues that organizational performance is contingent on the congruence between structure and contingent factors. Competitive strategy is considered to be the most important contingent factor among organizational context variables. Two dimensions of IST structure and three types of competitive strategy were employed to test a contingency model. It was found that enhanced congruence between IST structure and competitive strategy was associated with higher competitive advantage. The structural dimension significantly associated with the "defender" strategic stance was more centralized and more integrated application of IST, while the structural dimension significantly associated with "prospector" positioning was more decentralized and less integrated application of IST.