Analysis of suitability of Information Technology governance model for Sri Lankan universities

Abstract

This paper on “Information Technology Governance in Universities” is based on a literature review conducted to study and analyze the relevance and suitability of IT governance theories, concepts and frameworks in the context of Sri Lankan universities. IT is now widely used for various purposes in higher educational institutions, ranging from executive decision making systems to student information management. There has been a trend in the last few years to funnel more and more funds on ICT infrastructures. Funding for IT and its developments in both human resources and ICT infrastructure is hypothesized to create an environment for effective and efficient functioning of universities. However, there are no published results on investigations done to determine any correlation between such investments and its impact on performance improvement, especially in Sri Lankan University context. Good IT governance can make its greatest contribution to proper implementation of strategic planning in university education. Most of the IT governance frameworks have been developed for the private sector. There are various debates among researchers and practitioners and it is recognized that the frameworks developed for the private sector do not meet the requirements of universities. Sector differences of organizations (i.e. universities) have largely been ignored in the concepts and theories of IT governance. One of the main reasons why the IT governance systems are being implemented and maturing at a slower rate in universities may be the lack of own frameworks in the university environment. Researchers and practitioners have conducted various studies to define IT governance, measure performance of IT governance and its investments, derive mechanisms to implement IT governance and its alignment with organizational governance and strategies. This paper discusses specific factors identified as relevant to universities in the subject domain of IT governance. It also analyses previous studies on IT governance and its relevance to universities. Research gap relevant to universities and IT governance was identified and discussed with the aim of creating an effective Information Technology governance for universities.