Alinhamento entre estratégias de negócio e tecnologias de informação e comunicação : estudo sobre a indústria sucroalcooleira em Pernambuco.

Abstract

The investments on information and communication technology (ICT), made by modern companies have shown unprecedented growth, including that of Internet based technologies in the establishment of global markets, thereby inducing companies to use strategies of these solutions as a factor of competitiveness. The main purpose of this dissertation was to analyze the sugarcane industry in the State of Pernambuco, in order to identify variables that explain business and information technology strategic alignment. Recent research that recognizes technological development benefits, forms the basis of the methodology and of specific interest those related to ICT, and how performance and returns on ICT investments are related with correct strategic alignment in business; i.e. how ICT resources including hardware, software, networks, human resources and data bases, offer a suitable support to production activity achievements and services. In order to do this, a survey was used as a method to collect data with managers and coordinators from strategic areas companies in the Pernambuco sugarcane industry, based on the model of Henderson e Venkatraman (1993). The strategic alignment was characterized with a modern group, with high commitment in use of IT in the production processes, and a more traditional group conscious about IT, however in less intensive way. Finally, is recommended future research including expansion of sample size extending the study to the national sugarcane market, in order to detail analyses of the potential Brazilian competitiveness in the use of ICT as a support for sugar and alcohol production, consequently supporting private and government decisions related to investments in ICT technologies in this industry.