Mid Sweden University

Substantial research has been conducted to investigate the value that Enterprise Architecture (EA) can generate for organizations. However, there is also a need to empirically explore the mechanisms involved in creating this value. Against this backdrop, this paper aims to answer the research question: “Which mechanisms contribute to generating value through using Enterprise Architecture in government?” The research was conducted through a survey administered to Swedish government organizations, directed by a public value framework. The data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and an inductive analysis of open-text answers. The findings reveal values associated with the use of EA in government and corresponding value-generating mechanisms. Core activities in the municipalities consist of establishing digital value chains where values are generated for citizens and the internal administration. National agencies engage more in creating strategic value through intrinsic enhancements enabled via EA to establish organizational commonalities. Our findings informed a conceptual framework, which encompasses organizing principles, core EA activities, and applications. This research contributes to the literature on the use of EA in government by highlighting EA activities related to the strategic orientation of organizational operations and enablers for deriving valuable results from these activities. Our framework, informed by theories of public value and results from practice, provides a roadmap for public managers to plan and operationalize their architectural work. By doing so, we contribute to establishing an important link between research on EA in the public sector and public value theory. We conclude the paper with suggesting additional research on two identified research gaps: 1. Using EA for participatory processes, 2. Further investigation of evaluation practices.