A systems perspective of information technology (IT) governance: A case of higher education institutions in South Africa

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.