A framework for Service-oriented Architecture adoption in e-banking: the case of banks from a transition and a developed economy

Integration is considered as an important challenge for electronic banking (e-banking) success and many issues related to it remain unexplored. In addressing integration issues, Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) has emerged and been adopted by banks but many of them have failed to achieve significant SOA benefits. An important reason for this failure is attributed to the absence of a methodological framework that explains factors influencing SOA adoption in e-banking. In addition to this, the normative literature reports that differences may exist between organisations from developed and transition economies when they adopt integration technologies. Thus, the aim of this paper is to: (a) address this literature void by proposing a methodological framework, (b) test it through case studies conducted in a developed and a transition economy and (c) investigate differences and similarities among these two types of economies associated to SOA adoption in e-banking. The findings verify our framework and suggest some additions to it as there are new factors that were observed during the case studies like Culture, Top Management Support and SOA Governance. Our study also reveals similarities and differences, such as focus or level of attention, between case organizations from a developed and transition economy. This paper extends the body of knowledge and allows us to better understand the adoption practices of the organizations from developed and transition economies. The paper also provides new insights related to factors affecting SOA adoption in e-banking.