Strategic Fit In Inter-Organizational Networks: A Life Cycle Framework For The Healthcare IDS

Abstract

Strategic alliances in the form of inter-organizational networks continue to receive attention in both service and manufacturing industries as a potential form of competitive. The healthcare industry has embraced these strategic alliances with much intensity and perhaps to a greater extent than many other industries. Yet, despite the increasing prevalence of inter-organizational arrangements across most industries, empirical evidence of the value of IT to enhance and support these arrangements is lacking in the IT. Therefore, a need exists to extend IT theory and research to the inter-organizational level of analysis to better meet the needs of contemporary organizations and partnerships. Using the healthcare IDS as the unit of analysis, the primary objective of this study is to stimulate research at the inter-organizational network level of analysis. A conceptual framework of IT value for the inter-organizational network is developed that merges three complementary theoretical concepts, namely the Strategic Alignment Model, the IT-Enabled Business Transformation Framework, and the IT Integration Life Cycle.