COMMUNICATION IN IT-BUSINESS STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT: THE ROLE OF CONVERSATIONS AND THEIR COMPETENCIES

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to propose a conversational model for IT and Business managers’ relationship to the strategic alignment between their areas. The theory of this alignment highlights the criticality of IT and Business communication, which is explored in this study from its social dimension based on their managers’ conversations. The conversational model proposed indicates a positive influence from strategic conversations between IT and Business managers on the strategic alignment between their areas, from conversational competencies – effective communication and commitments – on those strategic conversations and from effective communication on the commitments they establish. Effective communication between IT and Business managers is characterized by effective listening and speaking, as well as by productive exposition and inquiring; whereas their commitments are characterized by requests, offerings and promises.