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Transformation of Multi-level Systems – Theoretical Grounding and Consequences for Enterprise Architecture Management

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Advances in Enterprise Engineering VII (EEWC 2013)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Business Information Processing ((LNBIP,volume 146))

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Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the support of enterprise architecture management (EAM) for enterprise transformation. Conceptualizing enterprises as systems, we draw on two theories that investigate static and dynamic system aspects, respectively – the theory of hierarchical, multi-level systems and control theory. From the theory of hierarchical, multi-level systems, we first introduce three orthogonal dimensions of hierarchy – layers, strata, and echelons. We then position EAM as a cross-dimensional transformation support function in this there-dimensional hierarchy space. Finally, we draw on control theory to derive a model of control and feedback loops that enables a designed EAM support of system-wide transformations. Using this model, we propose to extend the multi-level systems theory by a set of interlinked feedback loops as a fourth dimension. A case study of transformation in the Portuguese air force serves as an example illustrating the usefulness of the two theories for describing enterprise transformation.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Information Management, University of St. Gallen, Mueller-Friedberg-Strasse 8, 9000, St. Gallen, Switzerland

    Ralf Abraham & Robert Winter

  2. CODE, Center for Organizational Design & Engineering, INOV, Rua Alves Redol 9, Lisbon, Portugal

    José Tribolet

  3. Department of Information Systems and Computer Science, Instituto Superior Técnico, Technical University of Lisbon, Portugal

    José Tribolet

Authors
  1. Ralf Abraham
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  2. José Tribolet
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  3. Robert Winter
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Public Research Centre - Henri Tudor, Luxembourg-Kirchberg, Luxembourg

    Henderik A. Proper  & Khaled Gaaloul  & 

  2. University of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal

    David Aveiro

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Abraham, R., Tribolet, J., Winter, R. (2013). Transformation of Multi-level Systems – Theoretical Grounding and Consequences for Enterprise Architecture Management. In: Proper, H.A., Aveiro, D., Gaaloul, K. (eds) Advances in Enterprise Engineering VII. EEWC 2013. Lecture Notes in Business Information Processing, vol 146. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-38117-1_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-38117-1_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-38116-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-38117-1

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

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