Information technology is a “hot ” topic. Consultant , software and hardware companies, the specialized press and even some academics present IT as the corner stone to firm’ s per for mance.
This claim is even stronger in the logistics sect or where the development of the Internet and related technologies has opened some unexpected possibilities. However , despite this enthusiasm,
some earlier work in IT research has call ed for a more prudent view on IT , stating that IT does
not automatically provides the firm with a competitive advantage.
In this paper , using both the position- based and resource- based views, we develop a framework
for analyzing the contribution of IT in the logistics sector . We conclude that IT will contribute
to competitive advantage in limited cases and that most of ten the “strategic necessity” hypothesis
will apply. We suggest a dual approach to information technology strategic management : on
one hand, the firm should develop the capability to implement efficiently some “standard” solutions on anopport unit y-based approach; on the other hand, it should em bed it s IT system in
the organization with a strong top management commitment and a clear strategical ignment.
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