Although, until now, IT researchers have used the two perspectives independently,
the strategic alignment model proposed by Henderson and Venkatraman (1999) can be
used, from a theoretical standpoint, to integrate these perspectives. Indeed, Henderson
and Venkatraman argue that a “strategic fit”, that is, the alignment of external (strategic)
and internal (functional) business and IT domains, is required in order to increase
business performance. Researchers have successfully used this model to study the manner
in which IT supports a business, both from an external and an internal perspective,
and empirically link this support to business performance (Chan et al., 1997; Luftman
et al ., 1999; Papp, 1999; Croteau and Bergeron, 2001 ; Sabherwal and Chan, 2001;
Croteau and Raymond,2004).