A framework for implementing IT governance for Uganda's higher institutions of learning

Abstract

Several public sector organizations rely on Information Technology (IT) for their daily operations to improve effectiveness and efficiency in public service delivery. Although IT is crucial in the public sector organizations, many IT systems do not perform as expected, causing discontinuity of services, user frustration, loss of IT investment, increased redundancy, duplication of efforts, poor decision-making, and reputation loss.

Managing IT necessitates implementing IT governance; however, there is limited and isolated empirical research on IT governance for the public sector organizations in developing countries. Prior studies on IT governance are generic, complex, expensive to implement, and are not specific to Higher Institutions of Learning (HILs) in Uganda. Thus, this study developed a framework to implement IT governance in HILs in Uganda (IGHU). This study was conducted in eight degree-awarding HILs in Uganda, and the respondents were IT and business representatives. Design science guided this study to design and evaluate IGHU through conducting the exploratory study, descriptive study, and framework evaluation. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis, while quantitative data were analyzed using Ms. Excel and SmartPLS 2.3.9 software.

Results showed structures and processes were poorly implemented, whereas relational mechanisms were fairly practiced. IT governance maturity was at level two (repeatable), indicating processes apply comparable procedures used by various people responsible for a similar job; however, official communication of standard practices is limited, resulting in errors. The design of IGHU was complete since it involved valid constructs. The evaluation of IGHU was positive regarding understandability, ease of use, usefulness, and completeness. Hence, IGHU satisfactorily implements IT governance in HILs in Uganda and organizations of similar contexts.

The study suggests that managers at the strategic level of institutions should actively get involved in the management of IT to support IT projects and policies that improve IT governance.