Modern digital information and communication technology (ICT) facilitates dramatic improvements in both the business and the organization of every enterprise, be it private or public. By the business of an enterprise is understood the collection of business services that the enterprise offers and provides to its environment. By the organization of an enterprise is understood the activities through which the (material or immaterial) products that constitute the business services are brought about and delivered. It includes the human actors that are responsible for these activities. The chains of activities in which products are brought about are commonly called business processes.

Due to the increasing volatility and the globalization of contemporary enterprises, it is imperative for them to achieve and maintain an optimal deployment of ICT. The application of ICT in an enterprise for improving the business processes is commonly called the exploiting role of ICT, whereas the application of ICT for improving the products is commonly called its enabling role. Thus, the exploiting role of ICT regards the efficiency of the operations of an enterprise, and the enabling role of ICT regards the innovation of the business services.