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Chapter 39
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-7362-3.ch039
ABSTRACT
Turbulence in the businesses environment is on the increase. Therefore, businesses are obliged to re-
spond to that environmental uncertainty. Strategic information systems planning (SISP) supports this
efort. Information systems are connected with business strategy, management skills, decision making,
and aim to increase competitive advantage. Previous studies have examined the efect of SISP phases
on success. Also, other studies have concluded that there is a positive relationship between SISP and
frm performance. The aim of this chapter is to present a holistic approach in order to investigate the
signifcance of SISP process, to highlight phases that contribute to a greater extent of success, and to
draw conclusions concerning the successful implementation of digital strategy in frms and especially
in SMEs, which are an important part of the economies of developing countries.
INTRODUCTION
In this day, turbulence in the businesses’ environment is on the increase. Therefore, businesses are
obliged to respond to that environmental uncertainty. Information Systems (IS) and Strategic Planning
support this effort. IS are connected with business strategy, management skills, decision making and
aims to increase competitive advantage (Zubovich et al., 2014). Researchers have focused on the pro-
cess of Strategic Information Systems Planning (SISP) since 1970. The purpose of SISP is to support
the goals and the business strategy, through IS. Furthermore, SISP helps businesses to innovate, create
new products, reduce costs and enhance relationships with customers (Kamariotou & Kitsios, 2015,
Ullah & Lai, 2013). The process of SISP contains five phases, which are strategic awareness, situation
analysis, strategy conception, strategy formulation and strategy implementation planning. These phases
help businesses not only to define IS strategy but also to develop IS.
Strategic Information
Systems Planning
Maria Kamariotou
University of Macedonia, Greece
Fotis Kitsios
University of Macedonia, Greece