{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,9]],"date-time":"2026-06-09T14:51:17Z","timestamp":1781016677354,"version":"3.54.1"},"reference-count":50,"publisher":"Emerald","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2008,5,23]],"date-time":"2008-05-23T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1211500800000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/www.emerald.com\/insight\/site-policies"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2008,5,23]]},"abstract":"<jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Purpose<\/jats:title><jats:p>The purpose of this paper is to evaluate and compare the influence of three strategy\u2010making modes (planned, adaptive and entrepreneurial) on IT\u2010business strategy alignment in small to medium\u2010sized enterprises (SMEs).<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Design\/methodology\/approach<\/jats:title><jats:p>Empirical research using a questionnaire was conducted. In total, 108 SME owners and managers participated in the study and the data were analysed using quantitative techniques.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Findings<\/jats:title><jats:p>The planned mode provided better results as predicted. Each strategy\u2010making mode was found to influence certain specific aspects of alignment and performance. For instance the planned mode ensures better understanding of business and IT objectives and provides high growth sales. The adaptive mode encourages participation of stakeholders in planning and improves communication and staff productivity. The entrepreneurial mode can facilitate immediate revision of plans in organizations operating in dynamic and competitive environment.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Research limitations\/implications<\/jats:title><jats:p>Many factors influencing alignment were excluded. Second, the study was conducted in only three provinces and excluded the views of staff and IT personnel. These limit generalization of findings.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Practical implications<\/jats:title><jats:p>Assistance in planning and access to support programmes are necessary. Understanding the impact of SME characteristics can also assist the government in prioritizing resource allocations and focusing development programmes. The inconclusive results of this study, the impact on alignment of practices such as corporate governance, use of the balanced scorecard, and affirmative action should be researched further.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Originality\/value<\/jats:title><jats:p>This was the first attempt to investigate the relationship between strategy\u2010making practices and IT alignment in South African SMEs. It provides empirical evidence confirming that these practices influence specific aspects of alignment and performance. SME managers can adopt the approach used to identify practices that ensure better alignment.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1108\/13287260810876876","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2008,6,7]],"date-time":"2008-06-07T07:04:06Z","timestamp":1212822246000},"page":"22-38","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":12,"title":["The influence of strategy\u2010making types on IT alignment in SMEs"],"prefix":"10.1108","volume":"10","author":[{"given":"Michael","family":"Kyobe","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"140","reference":[{"key":"key2022021620212371300_b1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Abor, J. and Adjasi, C. 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