Toward an information systems alignment framework in the wake of exogenous shocks: Insights from a literature review

Alignment is pivotal to a firm’s success. Strategists and decision-makers continuously lament the difficulty of alignment in practice. In light of COVID-19, it is imperative for organisations to understand alignment in the wake of crises and transformation. In this study, we utilise a hermeneutic literature review to explore the role of information systems alignment within and across organisations. The results indicate future research should explore the concurrent impacts of the alignment triad (strategy, structure, and surroundings) on IS alignment and IS alignment should be explored in the context of pluralistic organisations, through emerging structures such as networks and ecosystems. We present a conceptual framework and recommendations for future research to enable organisations to be responsive to dynamic environments. • Surroundings should be considered a critical dimension of IS alignment. • Exogenous shocks like COVID-19 underpin the relevance of IS alignment research. • Emerging pluralistic organisational forms require updated IS alignment frameworks. • The 3 S alignment framework consists of strategy, structure, and surroundings. • IS alignment must be reassessed at periods of discontinuity, transition, and crisis.