Discussion

In today's competitive business environment, new methods of evolution from independence to interdependence are continuing to unfold — strategic alliances are one of those methods that can be used to achieve competitive advantage. In the process of developing a strategic alliance, IT architecture and human factors play important roles. In addition to considering the projected information systems the organization will require, information officers should focus on the human factors of its organization to increase the odds that an alliance will be successful. IT planning highlights major weaknesses and incompatibilities with information systems of various parties within an organization. Those incompatibilities, however, can intensify further due to operational and work practices in partner organizations.

Though this case study pertains to a telecommunications company, the concepts can be applied to any business, which contemplates diversifying its operation. The development of an IT system and the serious consideration of human issues would lead to practical improvements in the way most organizations approach strategic alliance development planning.