“strategic necessity”. This hypothesis consists of two propositions: (1) IT provides value to the firm by increasing internal and external coordinating efficiencies, and firms that do not adopt them will have higher cost structures and therefore competitive disadvantage; and (2) notwithstanding (1), firms cannot expect IT to produce sustainable advantages because most IT is readily available to all firms – competitors, buyers, suppliers, and potential new entrants– in competitive factor markets (Clemons and Row, 1991).