Towards a Framework for the Achievement of Mobile Transformation in Enterprises

Mobile Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has taken the consumer market by storm and throughout the past two decades it has spilled into the corporate world. Since mobile ICT exists in complex technological, social and organisational environments, mobility deployments mostly remain piecemeal, existing as islands of independent technologies not leading to any business transformation. The purpose of this study is to develop a generic framework that guides organisations from the beginning to the end in achieving mobile transformation through the adoption of mobile ICT. Mobile transformation refers to the organisation's prudent deployment of mobile ICT to significantly modify its business strategy, strategic processes, operating procedures and organisational interfaces. This paper presents a compendium of opinions from market leaders in the mobile ICT field, it studies the methods proposed in academic journals and then develops an adoption approach for mobility. It illustrates and discusses those elements that are essential for planning and preparing to achieve business transformation through the use of mobility. The most important elements to consider are: implementing a top-down managerial planning approach; the relevant individual-organisational- and technological factors associated with mobility; taking appropriate measures to ensure that the organisation is ready for the adoption; determining an inclusive method of calculating the cost versus benefit calculation; and considering the practical issues of which security is the most pertinent. If implement correctly, mobility can lead the organisation into a plethora of benefits and completely transform the enterprise.