THE LINKAGE BETWEEN IT AND BUSINESS STRATEGY IN COMPETITIVE-SYSTEMS -A REAPPRAISAL OF SOME CLASSIC CASES USING A COMPETITION ANALYSIS FRAMEWORK

The potential of information technology (IT) to support or augment a c ompetitive business strategy has been recognised for as long as IT has been used in business. There are many examples of information systems (IS.) which are claimed to have created and sustained competitive adv antage, allowed beneficial collaboration. or to have simply ensured th e continued survival of the organisations which used them. This paper looks at eight of the 'classic' examples of IT applications which are claimed to have been particularly effective in linking the competitive use of technology with business strategy. It then analyses the effect iveness of the use of the technology from the standpoint of one of the commonly-accepted business strategy frameworks. The framework is furt her used to question the linkage between the business strategies behin d the applications and The IT mechanisms which were apparently develop ed to make these competitive strategies effective.