Validation of a Developed Enterprise Architecture Framework for Digitalisation of Smart Cities: a Mixed-Mode Approach

Bokolo Anthony Jnr,Sobah Abbas Petersen

doi:10.1007/s13132-022-00969-0

Bokolo Anthony Jnr, Sobah Abbas Petersen

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-022-00969-0

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Abstract

To support smart cities in aligning information technology (IT) and business strategies to achieve urban digitalization, this study aims to present an Enterprise Architecture Framework (EAF) to facilitate the digitalization of urban environments. Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was employed to design a research model, and a mixed-mode methodology was employed. Quantitative data from survey questionnaires was used to gather data from practitioners in enterprises within Norway and Ireland that currently adopt Enterprise Architecture (EA) in a smart city project to empirically validate the developed EAF. Additionally, the developed EAF layers were validated through a qualitative focus group workshop with participants that utilize the developed EAF to provide digital services in smart cities. The findings suggest that the developed EAF can aid enterprises that provided digital services in identifying and assessing their digitalization initiatives and how EA benefits can be realized. Drawing on the TAM, the developed research model presents factors that influence practitioner’s adoption of EA towards the digitalization of urban environments. More importantly, this study provides empirically validated research on EAF adoption which is scarce.

Highlights

The convergence of digital revolution and increased global urbanization has led to the development of smart cities
PE2- The developed Enterprise Architecture Framework (EAF) is relevant for the + CxC smart city project
PE4- The developed EAF is useful for CxC smart city project

Summary

Introduction

The convergence of digital revolution and increased global urbanization has led to the development of smart cities. The complexity associated with smart cities demands innovative solutions (Tanaka et al, 2018). Smart city planning requires the management and governance of deployed information technology (IT) systems and business strategies to maximize economic benefits, increase societal benefits, and decrease environmental damage. For cities to achieve successful digitalization of urban environment, both private and public enterprises that provide services within the city need to be able to quickly adapt to changing citizen requirements (Ilin et al, 2017). Due to the level of complexity and increased scope of smart cities, there is a need for use of architecture or logical construct to describe, integrate, and manage Information and Communications Technology (ICT) system and data components (Alwadain et al, 2016; Bokolo & Abbas Petersen, 2021)

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