Value of Data in Organizations: An Approach Through Enterprise Architecture

People have always been viewed as organizations’ most valued assets. However, in the information age, data and information have begun to rival humans. Daily activities and decisions are now based on having information available at the right time. Yet having millions of data points only a click away is insufficient. Data are only valuable if they are transformed into information and used to create value in an organization. This study explores the development and implementation of an information ecosystem that supports data-driven decision-making within the context of Industry 5.0 and digital transformation. By integrating concepts from General Systems Theory (GST), Enterprise Architecture (EA), and human-centric design, the study proposes a novel model for transforming raw data into actionable insights. A case study in the insurance sector demonstrates the model's practical utility, showcasing improvements in data processing time, data quality, and decision support. Statistical analysis confirms the operational benefits, with significant reductions in processing time and error rates. This study contributes to theory, practice, and industry by offering a conceptual framework, practical guidance, and a vision for human-centric information ecosystems in Industry 5.0.