Emergence of Business Value from Complementary Interactions between Informational and Transactional IT systems

Abstract

Different IT asset classes generate business value consistent with the strategic goal of that asset class. While transactional IT systems contribute to process efficiencies, informational IT systems generate insights and contribute to informational benefits. We argue that the complementary interactions between these two classes of IT systems can support both informed and efficient processes and lead to greater business value. We use systems theory to develop a research model, which includes the complementary interactions between transactional and informational IT systems and the emergence of higher-order IT-enabled business systems. The two IT systems interact and augment other business systems to create higher-order emergent IT-enabled business systems. Emergent IT-enabled business systems lead to transactional, informational and strategic benefits. The paper concludes by calling for empirical studies that focus on the complementary relations between transactional and informational IT systems and their impact on business value.