Understanding an Enterprise Architect’s Business Capability Modelling Practice Through the Lens of Actor-Network Theory

Drawing on actor-network theory, its four moments of translation, and the concept of epistemic objects, this study obtains an in-depth understanding of the actual practice of business capability modelling of an enterprise architect at a Crown Entity in New Zealand. The data were extracted from a series of qualitative interviews and document analysis to explain how different actors were involved and how their interests evolved in the four moments of translation: problematisation, enrolment, interessement and mobilisation of allies. The results of this study highlight the active role of artefacts in the practice and the socio-political nature of enterprise architecture practice.