Assessing the impact of proactive versus reactive modes of strategic information systems planning

Integration between business planning (BP) and information systems planning (ISP) is crucial for the information systems (IS) function to more effecti vely support business strategies. This study examines two modes of ISP reac tive and proactive - as defined by the extent of BP-ISP integration. Questi onnaires were sent to 600 firms (addressed to IS executives and business pl anners) and 157 usable matched responses were received (26.2% response rate ). Statistical analyses determined that firms operating in a proactive mode had significantly higher status for IS executive. significantly greater pe rceived IS contributions to organizational performance and significantly fe wer ISP problems than did those operating in a reactive planning mode. Pres criptions such as IS plans should be as comprehensive and complete as possi ble; and involvement of top managers and users is important for greater per ceived benefits of ISP, are made based on the results. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sc ience Ltd. All rights reserved.