Information technology business value alignment and productivity at Barclays Bank of Kenya

Abstract

It Business value alignment and productivity is the relationship of Information technology and productivity and how it impacts the organization when the two are put together to enhance the value of the business. Several attempts have been made to define IT business value alignment and productivity. Some literature suggests that organizations need to align IT with the business strategies in order to be competitive in the market and subsequently achieve great performance. The literature suggests that firms need to achieve strategic business and IT alignment to be competitive. IT Business value alignment impact business performance and IT effectiveness. The objectives of the research were to determine the extent of IT business value alignment at Barclays Bank; to investigate the relationship between IT business value alignment and productivity in the same bank and eventually to establish the challenges of IT business value alignment. A case study design was adopted for the research with the target population being the staff at Barclays Bank Kenya where the sample size was obtained from the collection and recoveries unit of the bank. Quantitative analysis was the method used for data analysis since the tool used to collect the data was questionnaires. It was found that IT business value alignment does affect productivity in the organization and that IT when aligned to the business strategy has a great positive impact on the organization. The research was able to conclude that IT is an important tool that increases productivity and consequently increases performance. From the research various recommendations emerged that: to leadership team ought to improve their awareness on IT related issues in the organization; the IT team increase their involvement in the daily activities of the individual teams they service; the users of the system undergo intense trainings on system they use and above all individuals in the organization to be aware of the the company’s mission, vision, plans and objectives to ensure that they work towards achieving them for the success of the organization.