Effects of IT Capability and External Integration on Organizational Responsiveness: an Organizational Learning Perspective

Drawing upon the organizational learning perspective, this study focuses on the relationship between external integration and organizational responsiveness, and how such relationship is moderated by three kinds of information technology (IT) capability (i.e. inside-out, outside-in, spanning). The results of 197 firms in China reveal the positive relationship between external integration and organizational responsiveness. In addition, three kinds of IT capability play different roles in the relationship between external integration and organizational responsiveness. Specifically, outside-in IT capability and spanning IT capability positively moderate this relationship. In contrast, inside-out IT capability provides a negative moderating effect. Implications and suggestions for future research are provided.