Understanding Information Technology Capability: A Research Design Toolkit

Abstract

This article offers a framework and toolkit for the design of 'IT Capability' studies, with a particular focus to the causal links between information technology and firm performance. A relevant sample of empirical studies is systematically assessed and discussed to illustrate the application of the research design toolkit. This toolkit provides a concrete set of research design principles and criteria to help researchers build more complex, robust, valid and generalizable studies in this still maturing area of IT-Strategy research.

Keywords: based view; IT Capability; research design

JEL Classification: B49, L10, M21, C20, C30