Investigation into Barriers Preventing IT-Business Strategic Alignment in Medium-Sized Manufacturing Organizations in the Midwest Region of the United States of Americ

The breakdown of communication between information technology (IT) and business leaders is the primary barrier to strategic alignment. This study explored perceived barriers to IT-business strategic alignment in medium-size manufacturing organizations in the Midwest region of the United States of America through social lens. This study did not consider technical or capital factors of strategic alignment. This exploratory qualitative study utilized a single case study as representative of midsize manufacturing companies in the Midwest region of the United States of America to answer research questions. The supporting organization was an established manufacturing organization in the Midwest region of the United States of America. Participants in the study included senior managers from multiple areas of responsibility, including IT, operations, human resources, and finance. Study data were entered into NVivoRTM qualitative analysis software to assist in the analysis process. While four initial categories of barriers were specified, based on prior research, a total of 17 barriers were identified in this research. Findings suggest a strong connection between communication and mitigation of barriers to strategic alignment. Further research is needed in additional midsize manufacturing organizations, both within the geographic boundaries of this study and beyond, to either support or refute the finding that, from a social perspective, effective communication is the primary mitigating factor in barriers to strategic alignment.