Navigating Disruptive Change: The Evolution of IT Governance and Management Processes from 2020 to 2023

Abstract

The rapid acceleration of digitalization driven by recent disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of generative AI (genAI) tools, has affected organizations’ dependence on and investments in information technology (IT). This paper investigates how these events have influenced IT governance and IT management processes by examining changes in achievement of 40 COBIT 2019 IT governance and management objectives between 2020 and 2023. Using data from two large-scale international surveys and applying non-parametric techniques, including the Mann-Whiteny U test and Cliff’s delta effect size estimations, this study reveals shifts in IT governance and IT management achievement levels. Findings indicate significant evolutions particularly within IT governance (EDM), IT development (BAI), and IT support (DSS) domains. Furthermore, stratified analyses identified specific IT governance and IT management aspects depending on organizational strategy and the strategic role of IT. As such, this paper provides insights into the IT governance and management processes that are primarily impacted by disruptions impacting digital transformation.