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Complementarities Between Organizational IT Architecture and Governance Structure

Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011
Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
tiwana{at}iastate.edu
benn.konsynski{at}bus.emory.edu

This study addresses the theoretically neglected interplay between organizational information technology (IT) architecture and IT governance structure in shaping IT alignment. We theoretically develop the idea that IT architecture modularity helps sustain IT alignment by increasing IT agility, and that decentralization of IT governance strengthens this relationship. IT architecture therefore complements IT governance structure. Tests of the proposed mediated-moderation model using data from 223 organizations support these ideas. Implications for theory and practice are also discussed.

Key Words: modularity; information technology architecture; governance; mediated moderation; alignment; IT strategy; IT agility
History: This paper was received on November 11, 2006.