Factors Influencing The Achievement Of It-Business Alignment In Developing Economies: Evidence From Ghana’s Public Institutions Of Higher Learning

ABSTRACT Application of IT in institutions of higher learning has become unavoidable and remains constantly increasing. Many institutions are investing heavily in IT in order to stay competitive. Studies have however shown that majority of these investments do no deliver value. The higher education sector is believed to be one of the sectors with high IT investment wastage. It is for this reason the concept of IT-Business alignment which involves finding harmony between IT, and business strategy and objectives has become a concern for both IT and Non-IT executives. Despite the popularity of the concept, review of available literature shows the concept is not only less popular in developing economies and the education sector but also factors influencing its achievement remain underexplored. It is for this reason that studies which attempt to identify factors influencing the achievement of IT-Business alignment and generate new knowledge have become necessary. The purpose of this study is to examine the nature of IT, the state of IT-Business alignment, as well as factors influencing the achievement of IT-Business alignment in Ghanaian public institutions of higher learning using Schlosser and Coltman's (2012) IT-Business alignment dimensions model as a lens. Based on the assumptions of the interpretivism research paradigm and qualitative research principles, a two round online Delphi survey was employed to elicit responses from persons in IT leadership position in Ghanaian public institutions of higher learning. These persons were purposively selected in line with the principles of Delphi Technique