Managing Technology for Business Value

Technology, Strategy, and Organizational Value

Managing Technology for Business Value is a wide-ranging academic study of how information systems and digital technologies can be managed to create lasting value for organizations. Stephen McLaughlin treats technology not as an isolated function but as a strategic concern that must connect with business goals, organizational capabilities, and changing market conditions.

What the Book Explores

The book moves from foundational questions about information systems strategy to the practical work of building a digital business strategy. Across its chapters, it examines:

• the alignment between IS strategy and business strategy
• the shift from traditional IT thinking to a digital perspective
• the development of technology-based capabilities and competitive advantage
• the role of stakeholders, value creation, and strategic options in digital planning
• the challenges of assessing digital impact and supporting organizational success

From IS Alignment to Digital Strategy

Early chapters consider why an information systems strategy is needed, how planned and emergent strategies differ, and how frameworks such as Porter’s Five Forces and the value chain can help explain technology’s competitive impact. Later sections turn toward digital strategy: what distinguishes it from corporate strategy, how it can be constructed, and how technology can be repositioned from a service function to a source of business value.

Case Studies and Learning Features

The discussion is supported by case material that grounds the concepts in real organizational settings, including an eCRM implementation in a FTSE 100 company, PRISA’s move into digital, and Netflix. Learning objectives, review question answers, and chapter references appear throughout the book, giving readers structure and opportunities for reflection.

Who May Find This Book Useful

This title is likely to suit students of information systems, business, and management, as well as managers and researchers who want a structured view of technology management and digital transformation. It is especially relevant for readers interested in how strategy, organizational change, and IT capabilities intersect.

Why the Subject Matters

Organizations continue to face pressure to justify technology investment, adapt to digital markets, and build capabilities that are difficult to imitate. This book addresses those concerns through an academic yet applied lens, connecting theory with the messy realities of strategy development and organizational change.

Digital Delights Edition

Digital Delights offers this title as a digital edition for convenient reading and reference. It is a substantial resource for anyone studying or practicing the management of technology in contemporary organizations.