Software-as-a-Service in the Banking Sector: An extended Resource Based View of Information Technology

The purpose of this paper it to assess the value of adopting a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) computing model as a strategic management approach towards sustained competitive advantage in the banking sector. Different management studies posit that a Resource Based View (RBV) strategic management approach improves the competitive advantage of an organization with a bias towards intangible resources as they are less likely to be replicated by competitors. Nonetheless, fewer studies have been directed towards the control of Information Technology (IT) investments as a tangible resource in view of the modern day technological advancements that foster dynamic businesses demands on Information Systems (IS) within the service industry. The methodology adopted for the research will be based on a positivity philosophy. The findings will enhance the existing knowledge on the Resource Based View (RBV) approach to competitive advantage within the service industry based on a non-generalized Information Technology (IT) perspective. The purpose of the research is to explore the potency of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) cloud computing model to affect competitiveness in the banking sector based on a Resource Based View (RBV) approach. The findings will expound on the theoretical understanding of how the Softwareas- a-Service (SaaS) computing model impacts the service industry’s competitive advantage in a Resource Based View (RBV) context of strategic management. The research further seeks to expound on leaders’ correlation of Information Technology (IT) management to overall strategy and sustained competitive advantage of a firm. The objective of the research is to extend a leader’s appreciation of the of direct impact Information Technology (IT) infrastructure investments in a service-base industry on strategic management thinking within the context of a Resource Based View (RBV) approach. Researchers on Resource Based View (RBV) approach the Information Technology (IT) resource with minimal consideration of its duality and dynamic nature which are precursors to its elasticity in adapting to business needs. This affects management’s ability to correctly translate the Information Technology (IT) resource offering into a pivotal strategic management concern in the service based industry.