Social Dimensions of Information Technology (IT) and Business Misalignment

In this study, social dimensions of obstacles to achieve alignment in IT and business have been identified through a case study in the Post Bank of Iran. The data have been collected through conducting 10 interviews with experts in both fields of IT and business as well as reviewing some internal documents of the bank. In this study, 20 of the main obstacles and problems of achieving alignment were identified. The findings of the study showed that “lack of joint strategic planning”, “organizational units’ inappropriate understanding about each other”, “unsuitable administrative structure of the bank”, “lack of a strong Organization and Methods office”, “lack of precise definition of tasks and roles in projects”, and “limited cooperation and lack of mutual support in achieving alignment between IT and business” are among the main obstacles to achieve alignment. Understanding these obstacles, while providing background for future studies on achieving alignment considering its social dimensions for researchers, helps organizations make effective efforts to bring about an alignment between IT and business by identifying these obstacles