The Interplay between Cloud-based SOA and IT Departments: Research Directions.

Cloud-based SOA refers to an application architecture within which all functionalities are defined as independent services with cloud-based APIs that can be used to leverage external computing resources through ubiquitous Internet access. This paper uses cloud-based SOA as a new form of IT-enabled enterprise transformation to reconceptualize the roles of IT departments. A proposed conceptual framework argues that IT departments and cloud-based SOA are mutually influenced. Upon reviewing relevant literature, this paper suggests that research should reexamine critical success factors in cloud-based SOA implementations and investigate influences of cloud-based SOA implementations in the reconstruction of IT departments. Research questions and propositions are developed to guide research in this area.