Does Enterprise Architecture Form the Ground for Group Decisions in eGovernment Programme? Qualitative Study of the Finnish National Project for IT in Social Services

Abstract

Governments all over the world have started eGovernment programmes. Enterprise architecture (EA) work has emerged as a solution to make a better eGovernment. We investigated the role of EA in the Finnish eGovernment programme called the National Project for IT in Social Services (Tikesos). This study reports what kind of role EA has played in group decisions made by the executive group of Tikesos project. Further, it highlights what has been the main emphasis of the Tikesos project. The research approach is qualitative. We analyzed contents and identified themes from the records of the Tikesos executive group. We found out that EA has not guided the group decisions made by the Tikesos executive group although it has been featured in the plans of the project. Further, we identified three themes: buck-passing, instability in decision making and role of EA.