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11 – 20 of over 17000The purpose of this paper is to provide a guide through which the Zachman Framework can be used to address challenges and for successful implementation of enterprise architecture…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a guide through which the Zachman Framework can be used to address challenges and for successful implementation of enterprise architecture (EA) in an organisation that deploys it.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative research methods were followed, within which the case study approach was applied. The interpretive method was used in the analysis of the qualitative data.
Findings
Based on the findings, a method is proposed through which EA can be implemented in an organisation by using the Zachman Framework.
Originality/value
This is an original research work. Also, the paper has not been submitted to other journal for review and possible publication.
Details
Keywords
Bokolo Anthony Jnr, Sobah Abbas Petersen, Markus Helfert and Hong Guo
Smart city services are supported by information and communication technologies (ICT) referred to as digital technologies which increasingly promise huge opportunities for growth…
Abstract
Purpose
Smart city services are supported by information and communication technologies (ICT) referred to as digital technologies which increasingly promise huge opportunities for growth but are faced with system alignment and data integration issues when providing digital services. Therefore, this study aims to use enterprise architecture (EA) in digital transformation of cities by developing an architecture to address system alignment and data integration in digital transformation of cities.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative method is applied to evaluate the presented architecture based on electric-mobility (e-mobility) scenario, and data was collected using case study via interviews from a municipality in Norway to validate the applicability of EA for digital transformation of city services.
Findings
Findings from the interviews were represented in ArchiMate language to model the digital transformation of e-mobility in smart cities. Findings suggest that the architecture serves as a guide to recommend urban administrators of the potential of EA and digital transformation in addressing system alignment and data integration issues in smart cities.
Research limitations/implications
Data used in this study is from a single case, hence there is a need to evaluate the application of EA for digital transformation of city services with data collected from multi-cases.
Practical implications
This study adopts enterprise architecture approach to support city transformation as it has been widely applied by institutions to align business and ICT components.
Social implications
This study provides implication on how municipalities can use EA and digital transformations towards a sustainable smart city.
Originality/value
An architecture is presented that can be used as a guide to help urban developers and designers in deploying sustainable transport policies for smart cities. Additionally, EA is used to foster digitalization towards achieving system alignment and data integration in cities to support urban environment as they digitally transform services provided to citizens.
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Mostafa Jafari, Peyman Akhavan and Elham Nouranipour
The main objective of this paper is to explore the role of knowledge architecture in an enterprise and to provide a model to architect enterprise knowledge based on the Zachman…
Abstract
Purpose
The main objective of this paper is to explore the role of knowledge architecture in an enterprise and to provide a model to architect enterprise knowledge based on the Zachman framework.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a conceptual article providing a knowledge architecture model for an organization based on the Zachman framework that discussed several perspectives from the knowledge management point of view and information technology. To confirm the validity of the model a questionnaire was designed, applied and then analyzed by some statistical methods.
Findings
The paper provides a conceptual knowledge architecture model that can be applied to Iranian organizations practically. The validity of this model is confirmed by polling the opinion of knowledge architecture experts.
Research limitations/implications
The lack of resources directly related to the subject of the research, the novelty of this kind of research in Iran and the lack of organizations which perform a knowledge architecture model in reality are the restrictions of this research. The authors' suggestion for further research studies is to execute the model and survey from foreigner experts.
Practical implications
The paper may be beneficial for enterprise architects in the knowledge area.
Originality/value
The paper may be of high value to researchers in the knowledge management field and to practitioners involved with KM adoption in the organizations. It gives valuable information and guidelines that hopefully will help the leaders and the senior knowledge management managers to accomplish KM through their organization successfully.
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Oscar Barros and Cristian Julio
The purpose of this paper is to propose a method to support business process architecture and business process design, and present an application to the domain of public hospitals…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a method to support business process architecture and business process design, and present an application to the domain of public hospitals in Chile.
Design/methodology/approach
This method is based on the formalization of generic architectures and their internal process structure, proposed in this work as architecture and process patterns, which have been developed at the Master in Business Engineering of the University of Chile and validated empirically in hundreds of Chilean firms from different industries.
Findings
The authors have found that the use of architecture and process patterns accelerates the design of such structures until the last level of detail, providing a good and timely basis for information system design and, in particular, were able to develop comprehensive generic process architecture for public hospitals in two months.
Originality/value
The authors' approach considers explicitly the relationships among the architecture elements and process components, providing a systemic view of the business structure and ensuring the alignment between its elements.
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Keywords
Ming K. Lim, Weiqing Xiong and Zhimei Lei
Cloud manufacturing (CMfg) is a networked manufacturing mode that promotes the agile, service-oriented, green and intelligent development of the manufacturing industry. Although…
Abstract
Purpose
Cloud manufacturing (CMfg) is a networked manufacturing mode that promotes the agile, service-oriented, green and intelligent development of the manufacturing industry. Although some scholars have reviewed related studies of CMfg from multiple perspectives, these reviews are not fully systematic or well justified and fail to fully reveal the key characteristics in the development process of CMfg. The purpose of this paper is to systematically review the relevant research on CMfg via identification of key characteristics of definition, architecture, supporting technology and application of CMfg to provide critical information in decision support for the innovation and development of CMfg.
Design/methodology/approach
This study systematically reviews the relevant research on CMfg across theoretical methods to technical applications by integrating quantitative and qualitative methods. Word cloud method is used to quantitatively analyse the structure and feature of different definitions of CMfg. The principle of System Science is used to explore the basic components and functions of various CMfg architectures and their common and differing characteristics. A multi-level technology framework is developed to explore the development status of CMfg supporting technologies. A multi-stage application classification is proposed to reveal the application status of CMfg.
Findings
Through literature review, this study found that CMfg architecture is currently dominated by general architectures and lacks architectures that fit the actual enterprise characteristics; CMfg supporting technology is mature in the traditional cloud computing-based technology, but it is still weak in the development of virtualization and servitization technology, service scheduling technology; CMfg application is still in the initial stage and still lacks a relatively complete system application. By analysing the development status of CMfg, this study also identified potential research directions of CMfg in information management, service composition and evaluation, system application and sustainable development and other aspects.
Research limitations/implications
This paper predominantly focuses on journal articles and some key conference papers published in English and Chinese. Chinese articles account for more than half of the total. The reason is that CMfg was proposed by the Chinese and CMfg is suitable for the development of China's manufacturing industry because of China's intelligent manufacturing environment. It is believed that this research has reached a reliable comprehensiveness that can help scholars and practitioners establish new research directions and evaluate their work in CMfg.
Originality/value
Prior literature reviews ignore the identification and analysis of key feature identification for the current development of CMfg, including common and unique feature identification of different CMfg architectures and functions, multi-layer analysis and interpretation of CMfg technology and different stage analysis of CMfg applications. This study addresses these limitations and provides a comprehensive literature review.
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Bokolo Anthony Jnr, Sobah Abbas Petersen and John Krogstie
Enterprise architecture (EA) is usually adopted as an approach for managing enterprise complexities and aligning business and information technology (IT) capabilities. Although IT…
Abstract
Purpose
Enterprise architecture (EA) is usually adopted as an approach for managing enterprise complexities and aligning business and information technology (IT) capabilities. Although IT practitioners and researchers agree about the potential applicability and benefits of EA in smart cities, little is known about the factors that influence the acceptance and usefulness of EA in smart cities. Thus, EA acceptance and usage remains a central concern of urban research and practice. Similarly, there are fewer studies that explored EA adoption from the context of enterprises that provide digital services in cities grounded on empirical evidence. Therefore, this study assesses the acceptance and usefulness of EA in smart cities context by developing an EA adoption model drawing on the DeLone and McLean Information System (IS) success model.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the identified factors survey questionnaire was designed and sent out to participants which includes IT professionals, senior managers and consultants from 18 organizations in Norway and Ireland involved in a smart city project (+CityxChange) (https://cityxchange.eu/). Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and structural equation modelling using partial least square was applied for data analysis.
Findings
The results suggest that service quality and system quality positively impact user satisfaction of EA and user's intention to use EA. More importantly, information quality does not influence user satisfaction of EA, and the user satisfaction of EA and user's intention to use EA significantly influences the net benefit of EA.
Originality/value
This study provides a complete understanding for academicians and IT practitioners regarding the factors and impacts on EA acceptance and use in smart cities. Finally, this study discusses the implications of this research and provides recommendations for future research.
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Diogo M.R. Ferreira and J.J. Pinto Ferreira
The purpose of this paper is to show how workflow management can be applied in the context of business networking.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to show how workflow management can be applied in the context of business networking.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper looks at workflow management systems (WfMSs) as an enterprise integration tool and, as such, it shows that WfMS require an appropriate integration infrastructure. The paper then describes how a WfMS that supports business networking can be built.
Findings
It is found that business networking requires a decentralized, peer‐to‐peer (P2P) integration infrastructure. On the other hand, it is found that it is possible to develop a generic and reusable workflow engine. Both components are then integrated in order to come up with a solution that supports business networking.
Research limitations/implications
Issues concerning information and document management are not addressed. Neither mechanisms of storage and retrieval of exchanged documents, nor the format/structure of those documents are specified.
Practical implications
The paper assumes that enterprises will be willing to build up a P2P network where they will conduct their business‐to‐business (B2B) exchanges. Then, the proposed solution would allow their business processes to be linked without requiring tight coupling between their information systems.
Originality/value
The paper is useful to IT strategists and researchers dealing with WfMS, B2B integration architectures and applications of P2P technology.
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Svyatoslav Kotusev, Sherah Kurnia and Rod Dilnutt
Information architecture (IA) is often understood as a comprehensive master plan for organizational data assets and is widely considered as an essential component of broader…
Abstract
Purpose
Information architecture (IA) is often understood as a comprehensive master plan for organizational data assets and is widely considered as an essential component of broader enterprise architecture (EA). However, the status and practical operationalization of IA still remain largely unclear. In order to clarify these questions, this paper investigates what instruments related to IA are actually employed in organizations.
Design/methodology/approach
This study builds on the analysis of architecture practices in 27 diverse organizations. Based on the semi-structured interviews with architects and the examination of utilized architectural documents, we explore IA-related instruments with their usage scenarios that have been adopted in the studied organizations.
Findings
The authors identify 12 distinct instruments used in the industry and analyze in detail their features, properties and relationships. This paper analysis shows that these instruments are rather diverse and largely inconsistent across different organizations. The study findings also suggest that IA cannot be considered as a comprehensive plan for information, but rather as a variable set of loosely related instruments and practices that help organizations manage information.
Originality/value
The study offers a unique perspective on the concept of IA, as it is practiced in the industry today, as well as a critical scrutiny of the respective prescriptions abundant in the existing literature. Although this study does not attempt to theorize on the findings, it makes a significant empirical contribution by offering a solid evidence-based view of IA and its key instruments currently missing in the available literature.
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Baby Gobin-Rahimbux, Zarine Cadersaib, Nitish Chooramun, Nuzhah Gooda Sahib-Kaudeer, Maleika Heenaye-Mamode Khan, Sudha Cheerkoot-Jalim, Somveer Kishnah and Shabneez Elaheeboccus
Cities have recognised information and communication technology (ICT) as a major enabler for transforming into “smarter” service providers. Mauritius is considering embarking on a…
Abstract
Purpose
Cities have recognised information and communication technology (ICT) as a major enabler for transforming into “smarter” service providers. Mauritius is considering embarking on a smart island initiative, and as such, the existing towns in Mauritius have a major role to play in the transformation process. This study aims to focus on a systematic analysis of ICT architectures. This study proposes recommendations with regard to ICT infrastructures. This study elicits the contribution of those services towards the overall transformation of the towns, which in turn will form an integral part of the smart island initiative of the country.
Design/methodology/approach
A first step towards developing a smart ICT architecture is to understand what a smart ICT architecture constitutes of and the frameworks that can be used to develop these architectures. The main objectives of this systematic literature review (SLR) are as follows: understand what a smart ICT architecture consists of and derive a definition that will be used throughout the research for the development of ICT architecture for the smart local councils for Mauritius; analyse various frameworks, architectures and models that have been used in existing literature for the development of smart ICT architectures.
Findings
This SLR was conducted with a view to investigate ICT architectures with respect to smart governance. An in-depth review, followed by a critical analysis was performed based on the research questions set. The contribution of this study include the formulation of a definition for ICT architecture for smart local councils, which can be applied to any sphere characterised by similar aspects with reference to smart local governance. Albeit existing frameworks such as The Open Group Architecture Framework, Federal Enterprise Architecture and Zachman Framework, it was observed that in most cases, ICT architectures were built from scratch potentially because of specificities of each country/city.
Originality/value
This work proposes ICT architectures for smart local council.
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Douglas W. Frye and Thomas R. Gulledge
Enterprise integration endeavors are complex because they compel an organization to understand how its cross‐organizational business processes are enabled by multiple systems. For…
Abstract
Purpose
Enterprise integration endeavors are complex because they compel an organization to understand how its cross‐organizational business processes are enabled by multiple systems. For any large‐scale implementation project, specific business process and system information is included in the enterprise‐solution architecture. To understand the totality of any organization's business processes, managers must define and document all core and support processes.
Design/methodology/approach
The examples used in this paper are from large public sector organizations, but the underlying methodology and conceptual basis for the paper apply to any complex organization.
Findings
The main conclusion of this paper is that end‐to‐end (E2E) business process scenarios must be used for defining the requirements for any system implementation project in any organization. If the new system does not align with the E2E‐business processes, then management requirements cannot be realized. We also note that E2E scenarios must be considered when implementing enterprise software in a non‐enterprise environment.
Originality/value
The paper notes that E2E scenarios represent the requirements definition level for composite applications enabled in a service‐oriented architecture (SOA). Traditional implementation methodologies that enable standard software modules (or integration scenarios across modules) are not effective in non‐enterprise environments.
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