Ubiquitous IT: The case of the Boeing 787 and implications for strategic IT research

Case-based research was conducted on strategy and IT evolution in the Boeing Company. Results showed IT investment in the 20th century supported an increasingly decentralized hierarchical functional corporate organization structure, and shifted during the early decades of the 21st century toward an IT-enabled global network organization structure. IT investment context changed from an inward focus to an outward, IT-ecosystem focus. IT had penetrated every facet of the corporation creating IT ubiquity. But while IT was everywhere, IT strategic leadership remained fragmented and nowhere. Further research is required to define strategic IT leadership and its locus in the modern corporation.

► IT strategic leadership in the corporation is “everywhere and nowhere”.
► IT facilitates breakthrough products, manufacturing, and supply chain management.
► Strategic IT shifts from systems to IT ordering and integration- an architecture.
► Ubiquitous IT enables creation of bold corporate strategies and operations.
► Bold IT strategy and execution require CEO leadership and board oversight.