The nine-month study, which was released Tuesday, said IT managers are a key barrier to the success of B2B e-business projects

This is because one of the main obstacles to e-business project success is engaging trading partners and getting them to connect to the new system.

However, Croker said organizations involved in B2B trading would only avoid IT if they want the project to fail.

"If you don't want the system to work then avoid IT; I think this suggestion is dumb," Croker said.

"IT doesn't hinder these projects, they make it happen and it is critical to get IT involved from the very beginning rather than later."