Assessing the contributions of business and IT knowledge to the development of IT/business partnerships

Abstract

With the increasing interdependency between IT and business, a challenge for organizations is to strengthen the relationships and communications between people with different levels of IT and business knowledge. One solution that has been suggested is to create an overlap of knowledge and expertise between IT and business people. Thus far, studies have focused on the cross-functional knowledge in partners. In this study, we examine knowledge in both the IT and business domains in both partners. Specifically, we investigate the contribution of four types of knowledge: IT knowledge in business people, IT knowledge in IT professionals, business knowledge in business people, and the business knowledge in IT professionals. This will allow us to assess not only the contribution of cross-functional knowledge, but also (1) the contribution of the partners' own domain knowledge; and (2) the role of the overall IT (in both partners) and overall business knowledge (in both partners). This increase in each other's domain knowledge is expected to contribute to the development of a better understanding for each other's jobs. This shared understanding between the partners will contribute to better partnerships. To test these propositions we gathered data from 85 projects through a cross-sectional survey. Respondents reported on cross-functional dyadic relationships with peers at work. The results will provide direction for managing different assets of knowledge.