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Beyond Linear Thinking: Investigating Business-IT Alignment through Complexity Science

Amarilli, Fabrizio orcid logoORCID: 0000-0002-6307-8353 (2025) Beyond Linear Thinking: Investigating Business-IT Alignment through Complexity Science. In: 23rd European Conference on Research Methods in Business and Management, 19-20 June 2025, Northern Ireland. ISBN 978-1-917204-04-0

Abstract
Complexity science offers a powerful perspective for studying process theory in Information Systems (IS). Process theory explores how events, actions, and interactions evolve over time. Although complexity science is well-established in other fields, its use in IS research remains limited. In this study, we apply complexity-based methods, particularly mathematical modelling, to deepen our understanding of IS processes. We focus on business-IT alignment as a case example. By building and analysing a dynamic model, we show that alignment follows complex, nonlinear patterns, such as feedback loops, tipping points, and oscillations, that traditional research methods often miss. Our findings highlight how system dynamics and complexity science can reveal hidden structures in IS processes and provide new tools for researchers.
Metadata
Item Type:Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Event Type:Conference
Refereed:Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords:Research methodology, Complexity science, Business-IT alignment, System dynamics modelling.
Subjects:Business > Commerce
Business > Electronic commerce
DCU Faculties and Centres:DCU Faculties and Schools > DCU Business School
Published in: Proceedings of The 23rd European Conference on Research Methods in Business and Management. 23(1). ECRM. ISBN 978-1-917204-04-0
Publisher:ECRM
Official URL:https://papers.academic-conferences.org/index.php/...
Copyright Information:Authors
ID Code:32799
Deposited On:29 Jun 2026 09:02 by Tam Nguyen . Last Modified 29 Jun 2026 09:02
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