W4 - Strategic Alignment Model

Source / Reference:
1)  "Strategic Alignment: Leverage Information Technology for transforming organization" by J C Henderson and N Venkartraman 1993
http://search.proquest.com/docview/26252741/134A6C8B53F19A4F606/1?accountid=16210

Subject: 
In Lect 4 - Which alignment strategy in SAM model is the best? and why?
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Response:
In my opinion, there is no alignment strategy in SAM model is the best. This is because each industry nature differs, many factors would affect the strategy's performance, e.g. company size, background, etc. The best way to choose an alignment strategy might be depending on the company background, market and industry nature to acquire the best alignment strategy in SAM model. It means that there won't be a universally superior perspective could benefits the sustainable.

Figure1. The Strategic Alignment Model (SAM)

Each of the four perspectives aims on improvement on different directions. 

• Strategy Execution:
• Performance of the IT function is assessed by the financial parameters (cost center focus)
• Technology Transformation:
• Performance in term of IT market position is assessed by a bench marking approach
• Service Level:
• Performance is assessed by the level of customer satisfaction
• Competitive Potential:
• Business performance is assessed by business / product leadership such as market share, growth, and new product introduction

One more reason that I think there is no best perspective among the SAM model is whenever a firm choose any strategy in SAM model, concerns on the other three perspectives are still needed. This is because they has their own merits as mentioned above. A firm cannot ignore any of them to run a business. By time to time, strategy might needs to change.