What are the implications of theorizing the enterprise architecture?

Abstract

Enterprise architecture (EA) is more of an applied discipline than a theoretical framework. This is mainly because it is expected to guide an organization’s practices, such as technology infrastructure management, business process design and information governance, toward sustainability and competitiveness. However, this has not often been the case in many organizations, in that the concept continues to gain more theoretical attention than implementation and practice. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine and gain an understanding of the implications, theorizing of EA has on both academic and business industries. The interpretivist philosophy, qualitative methods, and case study approach were employed in the study. From the analysis of the qualitative data, the implications of theorizing EA were identified. Based on the findings, a model was developed. The model draws on and shows the interconnectivity and interrelationship between EA theory and practice.

Keywords:

• Information technology
• enterprise architecture
• theorizing
• case study