Abstract:
Failure to implement Information Technology Governance (ITG) frameworks in universities
contributes to making Information and Communication Technology (ICT) not aligned with the
organizational objectives; as a result, implementation of ICT fails to create organizational
value. The main objective of this study was to conceptualise a model that contributes to
improving ITG in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Viable systems model was used as the
theoretical underpinning to establish the determinants of effective ITG and to identify ITG
mechanisms and their roles. The study adopted an interpretivist research paradigm. A case
study research strategy was employed in HEIs. Purposive sampling was used to sample ITG
role players to participate in the study; and interviews were conducted to collect qualitative
data. Secondary data was collected through perusing ITG documents. The collected data was
analysed using thematic content analysis and ATLAS ti 8 software that was used. The results
showed the following ITG determinants: complexity in terms of internetworking and
interrelatedness of ITG mechanisms, synergy of and within ITG mechanisms, ability of ITG to
respond to environmental changes, local autonomy in relation to decisions taken in different
ITG levels, recursive within the HEIs ITG system and direct feedback among different ITG in
HEIs. The results also showed ITG mechanisms and their roles. Council, ICT steering
committee, CIO, Risk Committee and Audit Committee were amongst the identified ITG
mechanism. The study concluded that Council is responsible for strategic envisioning;
executive management is responsible for planning; Chief Information Officer (CIO) controls
and directs ITG activities, ICT Steering Committee coordinates the development and
implementation, Risk Committee and Audit Committee monitor the process, the ICT
department; under the supervision of the CIO; and Sections within the ICT department are
hands on regarding the implementation. The VIVHO ITG model is the outcome of the synthesis
of the identified ITG determinants and ITG mechanisms.
