Making a case for enterprise modelling as a research method

Enterprise modelling (EM) refers to the systematic elicitation and documentation of organisational phenomena from several interrelated perspectives. Widely applied in information and computer sciences to engineer enterprises and information systems, it is rarely recognised as a research method in itself, much less outside these disciplines. This paper advocates that EM is a valid research method, within and outside its traditional application domains, highlighting its efficacy in eliciting and documenting organisational phenomena. Our study supports our claims with examples from a project investigating the application of EM as a research method to examine the intricate interplay between sustainability reporting and strategic management practices. Additionally, we have consulted experts in EM, who provided their opinions on the strengths and weaknesses of EM as a research method, and helped delineate a roadmap to foster its recognition and adoption. Throughout the paper, we emphasise the potential that EM brings to structure research and the lens that its modelling constructs provide to investigate organisational motivations, structures, processes, communications, information flow, technology, and their intricate interrelations.