Introducing the Sectoral Enterprise Architecture Framework (SEAF)

Abstract

Multiple enterprise architecture (EA) frameworks have been proposed to guide the alignment of business and information technologies. However, existing EA approaches were not yet tested to represent (as-is) and steer (to-be) the digital transformation of an entire industry sector. This research-in-progress aims to create a Sectoral Enterprise Architecture Framework (SEAF) to support the ongoing digital transformation in industry. SEAF emerges from a design science research project in cooperation with a national refrigeration and air conditioning association. The initial results include the design of SEAF structure and its deployment in a vital industry sector interested in revealing data and digital technologies’ role in ensuring sustainability for the coming years. A sectoral EA framework can be helpful to the mission of industry associations, guiding companies in planning, implementing, and migrating new technologies suitable to their supply chain.