Theoretical Foundations

Abstract

This chapter introduces important foundations and concepts of this work. It describes the nature of enterprises, the characteristic environments in which enterprises operate and the architecture enterprises consist of. Furthermore, it addresses how changes can be implemented through strategies and how these are related to IT, because the seamless integration and coordination with IT is still a major challenge for enterprises. Based on that, enterprise architecture management (EAM) and its mediator role between business- and IT is outlined as well as the importance of its required EAM specific capabilities related to the mediator role.