Information technology (IT) has been and continues to be applied in a wide range of economic activities. One of the latest and potentially most significant advances in IT in relation to organizational performance is the development of innovations in information technology that hold the potential to influence the structure of strategic management systems in organizations (Cohen, 1995).
Information is critical to organizational performance in the contemporary knowledge-based economy. As a consequence, information systems have become a primary organizational resource. The management of information systems in contemporary organizations is in a period of transformation (Balaban & Rothschild, 2002).
An effective strategy is not necessarily one that promises maximum efficiency or least total cost, but rather one that fits the needs of the organization and strives for consistency between the organization's capabilities and the competitive advantage being sought by the organization. The successful application of strategy in the contemporary global environment requires an organization to have an effective strategic management process. In turn, an effective strategic management process increasingly depends on the effective application of advances in information technology (Litman & Lohrmann, 2002).
In relation to the development of organizational strategy in the implementation of the strategic management process, Wolf and Gering (1998) state that management must focus "on the clarity that comes from critical thinking, so that everyone walks away with a clear understanding of that vision" (p. 14). Critical thinking, to be effective, depends in large part on the availability of high quality information. Advances in information technology can provide high quality information in a timely manner to organizational managers.
The purpose of this study is to identify the processes for the effective integration of advances in information...