Alignment and maturity in IT management in industry traditional segment: the sugarcane industry

• Autor(a) principal: Medeiros Neto, João Paulo de
• Data de Publicação: 2013
• Outros Autores: Moraes Filho, Rodolfo Araujo de
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Revista Eletrônica de Estratégia e Negócios
• Texto Completo: https://portaldeperiodicos.animaeducacao.com.br/index.php/EeN/article/view/900
• topic: Information Technology. Strategy. Sugarcane industry; Tecnologia da informação; alinhamento estratégico; Indústria sucroalcooleira.

The aim of this study was to analyze the sugarcane industry of the northeast with the intention of identifying variables that describe the alignment process, if any, between business strategies and IT strategies. It sought to fill a gap in the literature where most of the investigations into alignment in the country have focused on more dynamic branches with special emphasis on banking segment, where the relationship between IT investments and productivity is more evident. The research is based on recent works on the assessment of the technological development benefits, ie, how funds invested in ICT promote support to companies giving them (or not), competitiveness (productivity paradox). For this purpose, interviews were conducted with managers of strategic areas in 14 plants of this sector in Pernambuco (total 19), referenced by the alignment model of Henderson and Venkatraman and endorsed by Albertin (2009). And also the maturity analysis of this alignment defined by Luftman (2000). The strategic alignment was characterized with a group identified as modern practicing the IT use with greater intensity and a more traditional group that cares about IT, but in a less active way. In the alignment process was evident the importance of a proficient team of managers (IT and Business) that excel in dialogue, seeking to implement IT solutions in line with the company’s business strategies. As further study, it is suggested the research for expanding the sample, extending the research universe to the national sugarcane market.