In order to discover the links between the IT investment itself, the mode and location of international operations and the business’s financial performance, I classify each of the studies, frameworks, models and discussions that I have researched. These classifications are organizational impact studies, the productivity paradox, measurement models and frameworks, frameworks of international business and IT, strategic global IT, IT economics and models of cultural differences

• Organisational impact studies: discuss the impact that IT-related decisions have on a particular business
• Productivity Paradox: concerns the measuring of the productivity that IT investment realises
• Measurement Models Frameworks: uncover the multiple ways in which the outcomes of IT investment can be measured
• Frameworks of International Business and IT: reflect upon related strategic perspectives
• Strategic Global IT: uncovers some of the issues that need to be assessed
• IT Economics: reviews the financial tools available in assessing past and future IT investment decisions
• Models of Cultural Differences: lightly explores the models posited by three cultural anthropologists
• Market Entry Strategies: are another significant component of this research

Perhaps a critical piece of the jigsaw is, does IT have a measurable impact upon the business model?

Osterwalder talked about a business model having four key components:

1. infrastructure    (the key activities, resources, business alliances)
2. offering            (the value proposition)
3. customers        (segments, channels, relationships)
4. finance             (cost structure, revenue streams)

So, upon what component(s) is the application of some investment in IT having an effect? Where would one get the best “bang-for-buck”?

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