Strategy for Information Technology: One Step Beyond Available to Purchase

Information Technology (IT) may lead to a change in a company's methods and personnel skills, leading to stress and strain within the “culture” of the organisation, and challenge the business, its methods and its objectives. Confronted by the potential impact of IT it has been suggested that management decisions on new technology be grounded in a carefully thought‐out strategy, exploring the “why”, “how” and “what if questions raised by the development of an IT strategy: how it can be implemented, and what its effects are likely to be. The use of IT in British banking and its effects are discussed.