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organization's best information technology (IT) management strategy

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information technology (IT) management strategy

Introduction

Business today cannot envisage succeeding without information technology (IT).

Businesses can only depend on sound it management strategies to address the issues of

digitalisation, operation improvement, and competition. This paper carries out a SWOT analysis

of the case study organization IT environment to establish the strengths and weaknesses of the

current environment together with the opportunities and threats that are available. It also analyses

the factors that regulate competition in the industry and uses Wiseman’s framework on

developing strategies and the resultant strategy patterns to recommend practical strategic

orientations in the industry. This way, this form of assessment allows for presentation of a

business case as it seeks to embrace an effective put forward information systems management

plan, with emphasis on how to support the IT plan to achieve the organizational goals.

The Information Systems environment: a SWOT analysis

Strengths

The case study organisation has identified a number of IT related competence strength

which are fundamental to strategic development. These attributes include internal IT support that

is well established to provide the necessary backbone and skilled personnel once can recruit

which are standard features of many companies now; most importantly a sound legal regime that

has already developed a structure for addressing the issues of cybersecurity. For instance, the

organisation can use superior data analytics to extract meanings from the data, improving the

processes of decision-making. Theoretical backgrounds on IS/IT The relationship between IT

foundations and organisations’ capability to respond to market signals and successfully innovate

has been pointed out by Pearlson, Saunders, and Galletta (2024).

Weaknesses

There are, however, some weaknesses including the following:some department uses

outdated software and there are few training programs available to the workers. All these deprive

efficiency and restrict the option of the IT systems. Furthermore, legacy systems are expensive to

maintain financially which is a problem in terms of the organisation’s economic resources. These

shortcomings must be addressed because failure to address most of them will slow operations

and erode competitiveness.

Opportunities

Cloud, AI and IoT as potential factors create opportunities for the organization’s

development. They can help improve on efficiency, customer relations and minimize on costs

that may be associated with the provision of this service. Kraus et al (2021) assert to that means

digital transformation can signify improve performance and business continuity in a volatile

environment. Exploiting these opportunities helps develop strategies that create new markets for

the organization as well as the market share it lays claim to.

Threats

There are external threats that affect the IT environment in an organisation, including

threats likely to arise from cyber criminals, changes in regulations, and, high levels of

competition. More precisely, cybersecurity threats are of a particular concern given the increased

reliance of organizations for digital platforms. In addition, regulatory compliance may involve

massive expenditure towards acquiring better systems and the competitors with strong IT

infrastructure may capture the market share. Such risks make it necessary that prevention

strategies be developed to counter these risks.

The Forces Determining the Intensity of Rivalry in The Industry

Various forces define the competitive forces through which the organization steering its

IT strategies. From the similar angle, Porter’s Five Forces model offers the guideline to study

these forces.

1. Threat of New Entrants

Hindrances to industry include high fixed costs in acquiring technology and meeting

regulatory requirements. Such barriers slow the threat of new entrants, despite the fact that

technological improvements could reduce such barriers in the long run.

2. Bargaining Power of Suppliers

The IT hardware, software, and service providers tend to have a high power in the

relationship, especially if they monopolize on essential materials or have exclusive knowledge in

the sector. In order to avoid this, the organization could widen its supplier list and focus on

building strong supply relationships.

3. Bargaining Power of Buyers

More and more customers look for tailored & they expect integrated & coordinated

digital experiences. This leads to a pressure to invest in strategic customer oriented luminous

investments in IT. These needs’ fulfillment empowers customer loyalty and diminishes the buyer

power.

4. Bargain threat

the services or products that are closely related to the production of its substitute products

or services.Measures and threats: Availability of the counter-IT solution for the organization,

including open-source software or a competitor’s platform, presents a moderate threat. This risk
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can be managed by distinguishing the organisation’s offerings on the grounds of functionality

and support.

5. Industry Rivalry

Competition within the industry is cut throat and firms make use of better IT systems as

competitive tools. It therefore becomes necessary for the organization to implement strategies

that will help it to reduce on its operational costs and increase satisfaction of the current

customers.

By identifying these forces the organisation can design IT strategies that neutralise

competitive forces as noted below. Saeidi et al. (2019) has identified and described how IT is

helpful in enhancing the competitive advantage with the help of risk management and strategic

fit as follows.

Strategic Thrusts using Wiseman’s Framework

Wiseman’s framework offers five strategic thrusts to enhance competitive positioning:

differentiation, cost leadership, innovation, growth and alliance. When using these thrusts to the

case study organization then it is possible to explain the path to success through IT.

1. Differentiation

IT can also be useful in his ability to provide individualized product or services that can

be achieved to help distinguish the organization from others. For example, the introduction of

up-to-date data analysis features could enable clients to make customized findings that enhance

the bond of the firms with their customers.

2. Cost Leadership

One of the strategies is cost leadership from operation cost through Information

Technology improvement. Employee costs are reduced and productivity is improved when
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routine activities for instance, inventory control is done through automation. Pearlson et al.

(2024) state that through the application of IT, organizations are in a position to reduce costs

through which competitive prices are set.

3. Innovation

It is thus important to establish new strategies to handle market in the ever changing

environment. The application of AI and machine learning can improve the predictive solution

and fulfil the customer’s need and improve the services of the organization.

4. Growth

IT enhances business scalability and flexibility which in turns supports business growth.

Cloud computing for instance, makes it possible for the organization to expand the operations it

offers without having to make large investments initially. The authors Kraus et al. (2021)

highlight that the value in using IT has to be concerning growth and flexibility.

5. Alliance

Outsourcing your IT services can improve the technology stature of the organisation

when engaging top technology suppliers. Partnership with vendors and other business

establishments is helpful in getting the most advanced technologies and experience.

These strategic thrusts used can make the organization to develop a strong competitive

advantage and growth in the long-run.

A Prepared Recommendations and Business Case for an Information Systems

Management Plan

Summary of Key Findings

Using the SWOT analysis and competitive forces show the organisation’s internal and

external environment, strength and weakness, opportunities and threats. Regarding the

discoveries mentioned, Wiseman’s framework offers further specific strategic thrusts for

improvement.

Proposed Plan

The organization should develop an information systems management plan that includes

the following steps:

Upgrade IT Infrastructure: Eject useless technologies and embrace sustainable technologies.

Employee Training: Training programmes that upgrades IT competence should be

comprehensively initiated by the organization.

Adopt Emerging Technologies: They are using AI, IoT, and cloud computing to enhance the

efficiency and innovative capabilities of the organization.

Enhance Cybersecurity Measures: Enhance protection against cyber terrorism using next

generation security measures.

Establish Partnerships: Arrange performances with the it vendors and specialists in the manner

that utilizers can share resources.

Expected Outcomes

The roll out of these strategies is likely to increase organization effectiveness, decrease

costs, and increase customer satisfaction. The organisation will also reduce exposure to market

shocks and retain its competitive advantage within the market place.

Risk Mitigation

All these risks, as discussed previously in this paper; including resistance to change and

implementation issues, may be managed through proper communication and administration of

change management practices. Ensuring the right amount of the resources as well as reasonable

time frameworks minimizes risks additionally.

Conclusion

This meaningful structural evaluation of information technology shows the significant

importance of management information technology to organizational performance. Of strengths,

weaknesses, opportunities and threats, the organisation should address the weaknesses and

threats, and build on strengths and opportunities in order to stay ahead of competition. Using the

strategy depicted by Wiseman offers a good road map on how to utilize IT for the purpose of

growth and innovation. In the future, the organization should periodically analyse its IT

environment and evaluate its actions to ensure the alignment with business objectives. Writing

by Saeidi et al. (2019), the authors pointed out that efficient IT management not only supports

business operation improvement but encourages competitive advantage as well.

References

Kraus, S., Jones, P., Kailer, N., Weinmann, A., Chaparro-Banegas, N., & Roig-Tierno, N.

(2021). Digital transformation: An overview of the current state of the art of research.

Sage Open, 11(3), 21582440211047576. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440211047576

Pearlson, K. E., Saunders, C. S., & Galletta, D. F. (2024). Managing and using information

systems: A strategic approach. John Wiley & Sons.

Saeidi, P., Saeidi, S. P., Sofian, S., Saeidi, S. P., Nilashi, M., & Mardani, A. (2019). The impact

of enterprise risk management on competitive advantage by moderating role of

information technology. Computer Standards & Interfaces, 63, 67-82.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csi.2018.11.009