Assessing the Role of Executive Involvement and Information Needs as Socio-Technical Determinants of Governance in IIS Success

Abstract

This paper systematically assesses two determinants of governance in IIS initiatives: information needs and executive involvement. As literature suggests and our hypotheses imply, those determinants are perceived to hold close relationships to the success of information sharing and collaboration initiatives through the mediation of governance mechanisms. By taking a quantitative stand to a US-based national survey data, we use structural equation modelling (SEM) techniques to verify to what extent those determinants are significantly associated with governance. We also propose a framework to explain the relative relevance of these two variables in determining the success of IIS (Information Integration and Sharing) project using governance as a mediator. Overall, this study puts the concept of governance in perspective, opening paths to expand theoretical and conceptual boundaries associated to the role it plays on the success of IIS in the public sector.