Critical success factors (CSFs) for the implementation of IT governance (ITG) in public sector in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

With the rapid evolution of Information Technology (IT) applications and practices across the organization, appropriate IT Governance (ITG) has become essential to an organization’s success. As IT is associated with risk and value opportunities, a comprehensive, high-level system is required in each organization to minimize the associated risks and optimize value. This requirement triggered the emergence of ITG. Many researchers have addressed this field; however, the role played by critical success factors (CSFs) in the successful implementation of ITG has, not yet, received adequate attention in Saudi Arabia. This gap in the research motivated the present study, with the main aim of defining the CSFs needed for the successful implementation of ITG in Saudi Arabia’s public sector. A framework has been developed, containing the CSFs of ITG in the public sector in Saudi Arabia. Also, an instrument has been shaped, based on that framework, to measure the success of ITG implementation in the public sector in Saudi Arabia. A triangulation technique is used to confirm the framework through three dimensions: a literature review and two expert reviews obtained via survey questionnaires. The expert reviews draw on two groups: global ITG experts and cultural experts. CSFs were studied and extracted from the literature review and then analysed, categorised, and synthesised to create the initial Success Factors for IT Governance Framework (iSFITG). Next, an exploratory study was carried out, using questionnaires to confirm the contents and structure of the iSFITG framework. To confirm the framework, a quantitative study has been conducted through online questionnaires. 200 questionnaires have been distributed to ITG experts in countries across the world, including the UK, the US, Australia, Europe, Middle East, and Asia. After the confirmation of the framework, the validated SFITG has been used as an instrument in five comprehensive case studies to validate SFITG. All five cases were conducted in the public sector within organizations, with established ITG implementation. Qualitative and quantitative studies were conducted to validate SFITG. Focus groups, interviews, and online questionnaires with over 30 key participants in these organizations have been conducted to get the results in this phase. Finally, an evaluation phase has been conducted with those participants to get their feedback about the instrument. By this phase, SFITG is validated and ready to publish. This research will be among few such studies, so far, carried out in this field. It should assist government organizations in Saudi Arabia in their implementation of ITG by defining the factors critical for successful implementation of ITG.

More information

Identifiers

ORCID for Gary Wills: orcid.org/0000-0001-5771-4088

Catalogue record

Export record