Rafidah Abd Razak

Enterprise Information Architecture (EIA): Assessment of Current Practices in Malaysian Organizations

In this paper we described the findings based on a research study on current enterprise information architecture (EIA) practices in Malaysian organizations. Ten organizations from public and private sectors were chosen for case study analysis. The Zachman framework was chosen as a guideline to assess the current practice of EIA in these organizations. This study had successfully investigated the current practice and conditions of EIA in selected public and private organizations in Malaysia. The study found that majority of the organizations do practice some kind of enterprise information architecture either in-house or outsource to third parties. The study also found that certain aspects of the framework were not addressed at all, whilst other aspects that were addressed vary in terms of the different perspectives. This gives a general outlook of EIA implementation in the selected organizations, which could be incomplete or not adequately addressed. The study revealed a poor knowledge and understanding of EIA among the organizations though there had been efforts at implementing EIA focusing on the data, function and network architectures. The study discovered gaps in the current practice and provides suggestions for organizations to consciously embark on the EIA paradigm in order to better align the whole organization to its goals. Results of this study can be used by the government and private sectors to formulate new policies and guidelines on enterprise architecture so that the enterprises IT adoption and information requirements fit nicely into its business strategy

An Enterprise Architecture Methodology for Business-IT Alignment: Adopter and Developer Perspectives

This paper proposes the use of an enterprise architecture methodology known as the Systemic Enterprise Architecture Methodology to determine the relevance of EA in addressing the business-IT alignment. A construct that characterized EA was developed based on review of the literature. A theoretical framework build upon the Systemic Enterprise Architecture Methodology (SEAM) was used based on a business-IT alignment market, in which supplier business systems compete to provide a value to an adopter business system. Data was empirically gathered based on survey respondents who are concerned with the adoption, planning and implementation of EA in their organizations. Respondents were managers and executives representing the IT and senior level management of public and private organizations in Malaysia. The data collected was then analyzed based on the following factors: (1) EA business issues; (2) EA environment; (3) EA governance; and (4) EA methods, tools and frameworks. Comparative analysis was carried out based on the four factors to examine the trend and status of EA adoption and implementation in Malaysia vis-a-vis the international scenario. Statistical analysis was used to validate the SEAM, which was found to be relevant in addressing the business-IT alignment.

Business Intelligence Model for Sustainability of the Malaysian Rural Telecenters

The objective of this paper is to galvanize research on rural telecenters sustainability. The research explores the sustainability of the Malaysian rural telecenters with the support of business intelligence (BI). It is posited that BI methods and tools could play vital role in assisting telecenters implement and monitor sustainable practices. The BI information planning phase, i.e., the systematic way of defining relevant information was utilized in this research. The empirical study was conducted through interviews and observations with a range of stakeholders including ministry officers, telecenters managers and operators. A thematic model comprising of sustainability issues and challenges that arise as the roles of telecenters evolved and the relationships between these issues is developed through content analysis. This study contributes to both theory and practice by (a) the use of content analysis to discover and explicate key issues faced by rural telecenters as they aim to fill their national mission, (b) the support of the telecenters managers in enhancing participation by local communities, (c) the identification of essential capabilities for effective and socially sustainable rural telecenters, and (d) the identification of sustainability model developed which can provide a basis for future telecenter research.

Investigation on the importance of enterprise architecture in addressing business issues

Enterprise architecture describes the principles and guidelines in governing the implementation of information, technology and business mission in organizations. The main aim of enterprise architecture is to improve the alignment between information technology strategy and business strategy. The intent of our study is to broaden and strengthen the understanding of enterprise architecture by specifically looking at the business issues. We used Systemic Enterprise Architecture Methodology (SEAM) as the foundation of the studys theoretical framework. Data was empirically gathered using questionnaire survey respondents who are concerned with the adoption, planning and implementation of EA in their organizations. A survey research method was employed involving one hundred organizations chosen at random. Descriptive and exploratory methods were used for data analysis. The findings gave us a general outlook of the EA activities in Malaysian organizations and its future directions. The study found Business and IT Alignment, and Business Change, which is also followed closely by Application Renewal as the important business issue in which enterprise architecture is required.

Evaluation of Enterprise Information Architecture (EIA) Practices in Malaysia

In this paper, we described findings based on a study on Enterprise Information Architecture (EIA) implementation in Malaysia. The study investigates the existence of the enterprise architecture in private and public enterprises in Malaysia and evaluates the presence of the architecture and its practical use against the established guidelines and frameworks as expounded by the proponents of the enterprise architecture. The Zachman Framework was used to evaluate the practice of EIA in these enterprises. A multiple case study was undertaken in which ten enterprises from public and private sectors participated. The paper would highlights gaps in the current practices of EIA in Malaysian enterprises and identifies factors of EIA implementation. In addition, the study would also provide recommendations for enterprises to consciously embark on the EIA paradigm in order to achieve the goals of the enterprise.

Rural internet centre (RIC) as catalysts for building knowledge-based society - the case of northern states of Malaysia

The creation of Rural Internet Centre (RIC) by the Malaysian government was to provide opportunity and to empower the rural communities in Malaysia. The RIC provides IT skills training and knowledge acquisition programs to the rural community in Malaysia, including women, the elderly, and children. RIC was launched in March 2000 with two centers: Sungai Ayer Tawar in Selangor and Kanowit in Sarawak. By 2006, 42 RICs have been implemented in thirteen states in the country (KTAK, 2006). The Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications (MEWC), Malaysia Post Berhad and Maju Sedunia Digital (MSD) are responsible for the project. The Malaysian government aim to set up 240 centres by the year 2010 which will eventually reaching an estimated 2.8 million members of the rural communities. The management of the centres operations and activities are given to the local communities. This creates opportunities to the locals to be employed and also provide the chance for acquisition of IT related skills and qualifications. This paper aims at providing an overview over the current RICs implementation with respect to supporting Malaysia governments aspiration towards building the knowledge-based society by the year 2020. RICs could function as the catalyst to achieve this objective. The initial findings on RICs current situations in Northern of Malaysia show that the centres can be further enhanced in order to function as desired.

Telecommuting in Malaysian government offices

The Government of Malaysia is working hard to bring the country into a developed and industrialized country by the 2020.To support this development, the government agencies collaborating with non-government agencies increasingly involve in numbers of high technology projects, which must be supported by committed and dedicated service-based civil servants, IT and non-IT professionals.Government-based agencies and institutions, however, are having problems to retain their employees for different reasons; family matters, working distance, unattractive salary and environmental aspects.To solve this problem, the Government should give an opportunity for the employees to work away from offices and to work for more than one employer.In this sense, telecommuting shall become a solution for civil servants in service-based industry and among IT professionals. Employees can work at home or at a remote centre through the use and support of high and reliable ICT infrastructure.The success of telecommuting programs especially in Malaysian environment is depending on numbers of criteria and sub-criteria.This study identified the criteria as rules, regulation and policies, infrastructure, finance, selection, training, environment and benefits.