The roots of misalignment: Insights on strategy implementation from a system dynamics perspective

•Reveals that causes of misalignment are paradoxically built into alignment processes.•Models processes of strategic formation and change using causal loop diagramming.•Enumerates top-down as well as less-studied bottom-up subprocesses in alignment.•Identifies causes of deviation from intended IT and business strategies.•Identifies alignment-related subprocesses at multiple levels of the organization.•Indicates potentially beneficial effects of strategic drift and misalignment.