Effect of Retiring Custom Web Applications on Business and Information Technology Alignment

Web applications provide the information technology (IT) implementation of business and align IT with business. Retirement of IT applications should ensure stability of business and IT alignment. The current study investigated the alignment gaps created between business and IT resulting from retiring IT software applications. The purpose of this study was to identify IT integration points with business and provide a process-based solution that sustained IT alignment with business after retiring IT applications. The theoretical framework strategic alignment model aided in identifying 3 IT domains as the IT integration points with business: enterprise architecture, configuration management database, and service-level agreement. The research methodology was grounded theory method. A process-in-operation facilitating application retirement generated the data. The grounded theory approach revealed the core category as IT and business alignment and established that the identified IT domains enabled IT alignment with business. The research findings revealed that structured decommissioning, timely repository updates, and 2-way communication between IT and business ensured continued accuracy and reliability of the repositories so business made valid interpretations. The findings may enable employees to realize their self-worth and dignity, leading to increased collaboration and coordination. The positive social change implications of these findings are in the increased alignment between IT and business, resulting in improved overall employee performance. Effect of Retiring Custom Web-Applications on Business and Information Technology Alignment by Shubhashree Thekahally BA, Nizam College, Osmania University, 1989 MS, Champlain College, 2005 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Management Walden University February 2015 Acknowledgments The beginning of this journey was a childhood dream that I wanted to realize. Along the way, many well-meaning people have supported me, and I would like to acknowledge a notable few by name. My heartfelt gratitude goes to my mentors and chairs, Dr. Louis Taylor, Dr. William Brent and Dr. Diane Stottlemyer. Dr. Diane Stottlemyer was a committee member and later the chair of my dissertation committee. I thank her for supporting me during the proposal and dissertation stages. Dr. David Gould, my honorable committee member was very affable and supportive. I am grateful to Dr. Stottlemyer, Dr. Gould and Dr. Korrapati for their support, time, and understanding throughout this tedious but educative process. Thank you Dr, Korrapati for your patience and guidance in steering in me in the right direction. I also wish to thank my academic and career advisor Ms. Denise Pranke and my residency faculty and program director, Dr. John Nirenberg. A special thanks to the writing lab and all their tutors for their patience and expertise. Finally, my warm and loving thanks to my family for their understanding, continued support, and patience, which ensured the achievement of this goal. Special note of thanks to my son Upendra Prasad, as it is uncommon to receive such understanding and support from a child.