Aligning With Metrics: Differential Impact of IT and Organizational Metrics on Cognitive Coordination in Top Management Teams

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Siamionava, Katsiaryna; Mitra, Sabyasachi; Westerman, George
• 署名单位: Arizona State University; Arizona State University-Tempe; State University System of Florida; University of Florida; Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• 刊物名称: PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
• ISSN/ISSBN: 1059-1478
• DOI: 10.1177/10591478241266524
• 发表日期: 2024
• 页码: 1875-1894
• 关键词: IT strategic alignment; CIO; METRICS; Performance measurement; shared understanding; trust; shared cognition; cognitive coordination; transactive memory systems; managerial games

摘要

Achieving cognitive coordination in cross-functional teams is a perennial challenge in organizations. It is especially challenging in the context of information systems, where strategic alignment remains a top concern of leaders despite decades of research on the topic. In this study, we develop and empirically validate a theoretical model that explores the role of communicating about performance metrics in fostering cognitive coordination between the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and top management team (TMT). Building on a theoretical lens of transactive memory systems, we hypothesize how the use of unit-specific metrics of information technology (IT) performance and collective metrics of organizational performance can differentially influence mutual trust and shared understanding in the CIO-TMT relationship. Through a survey of 268 CIOs, an experiment with 106 participants using a novel IT leadership game, and an algorithmic analysis of 3200+ articles in a trade publication, we find that communications using narrowly focused IT unit metrics improve mutual trust between the CIO and the TMT, while communications using broader organizational metrics (along with mutual trust) increase shared understanding of IT's role in improving organizational performance. Our multimethod study adds an important new facet to the rich literature on IT strategic alignment as well as the use of performance metrics in operations management. We discuss its implications for both theory and practice in improving cognitive coordination among the CIOs and TMT. Our model and findings are also relevant to other cross-functional teams where specialized individuals must collaborate to achieve collective goals.