Understanding microfoundations of IT capability using anthropologic heuristics

This paper introduces the Relational Models Theory (RMT) into IT capabilities research. By applying the RMT we find an explanation for the mechanism of influence of the social capital of a firm on the building of an IT capability. The RMT proposes four elementary modes of relational models. These relational models explain the interrelation of structural, social, and cognitive capital underlying an IT capability. For practitioners, our findings imply that the selected relational model may either foster an IT capability or lead to conflicts and undermine it. In contrast to the Social Capital Theory, the RMT allows for analysis of IT capabilities on a microlevel. Our work is original and adds value since understanding a firm's applied relational model may allow for a better understanding of the IT capability and even for a prediction of its further development.