Strategic role of IT and IT governance mechanisms for the context of small and medium enterprises

Abstract

The role of small and medium-sized enterprises in the economy is indisputable. However, these companies face major challenges to keep operating. Among them is the use of IT resources and the return on investments made. This article aims to survey the strategic role of IT in the organization and the IT governance mechanisms used in the context. It was possible to identify that relational IT governance mechanisms are more present in the context than structural or procedural mechanisms. It was also possible to identify that information technology, in the context, has a more operational use. Finally, through the use of Spearman's coefficient, it was found that higher strategic levels of IT use lead to greater use of governance mechanisms in the three dimensions, structural, procedural and relational

Keywords

• IT's strategic role
• IT governance
• Small and medium-sized companies
• Agency theory