Organizational Culture and Business-IT Alignment in COVID-19: A Swiss Higher Education Case Study

ABSTRACT

This paper assumes that cultural characteristics of IT are critical for business-IT alignment (BITA), especially in crises such as COVID-19. A case study of a Swiss higher education institution examines this relationship and its contributions in terms of performance. The study develops a strategic alignment and organizational culture research model based on semi-structured interview guidelines by interviewing employees with different job roles and characteristics. It reveals the dominance of corporate infrastructure and process-strategic orientation and the combined influence of clan, hierarchy, and market culture. Results mapping leads to novel propositions for BITA at different management levels.