Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

International Conference on Electronic Government

EGOV 2020: Electronic Government pp 29–41Cite as

A Pathology of Public Sector IT Governance: How IT Governance Configuration Counteracts Ambidexterity

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNISA,volume 12219))

Abstract

Public sector organizations are invariable stuck in a contortionist position in regards to how they approach digitalization. Centralized delivery models for IT drive efficiency in the short term, but at the same time they have been identified to potentially counter-act innovation. This study utilizes an interpretative case study of 21 Swedish public agencies and their centralized IT function to analyze how existing IT governance configuration impacts organizational ambidexterity. The empirical base consists of 31 interviews and studies of secondary material in the form of steering documents. The findings show that IT Governance is experienced as decreasing the level of innovation in the organization and hence negatively impacting ambidexterity by systematically skewing the balance between efficiency and innovation. These findings are discussed in relation to previous research, and propositions for future research for better understanding IT governance configuration in the context of ambidexterity are presented and discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Canguilhem, G.: The Normal and the Pathological. Zone Books, New York (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Yoo, Y., Henfridsson, O., Lyytinen, K.: Research commentary—the new organizing logic of digital innovation: an agenda for information systems research. Inf. Syst. Res. 21(4), 724–735 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Gregory, R.W., Keil, M., Muntermann, J., Mähring, M.: Paradoxes and the nature of ambidexterity in IT transformation programs. Inf. Syst. Res. 26(1), 57 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Magnusson, J., Koutsikouri, D., Pärivärinta, T.: Efficiency creep and shadow innovation: ambidextrous IT governance in the public sector. Eur. J. Inf. Syst. (2020, in press)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Wiener, M., Mähring, M., Remus, U., Saunders, C.S.: Control configuration and control enactment in information systems projects: review and expanded theoretical framework. MIS Q. 40(3), 741–774 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Magnusson, J., Bygstad, B.: Why I act differently: studying patterns of legitimation among CIOs through motive talk. Inf. Technol. People 26(3), 265–282 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Magnusson, J., Nilsson, A., Kizito, M.: Enacting digital ambidexterity: the case of the swedish public sector. In: AMCIS Conference Proceedings, Cancun, Mexico (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Gregory, R.W., Kaganer, E., Henfridsson, O., Ruch, T.J.: IT consumerization and the transformation of IT governance. MIS Q. 42(4), 1225–1253 (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  9. March, J.G.: Exploration and exploitation in organizational learning. Organ. Sci. 2(1), 71–87 (1991)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  10. Benner, M.J., Tushman, M.L.: Exploitation, exploration, and process management: the productivity dilemma revisited. Acad. Manag. Rev. 28(2), 238–256 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Luger, J., Raisch, S., Schimmer, M.: Dynamic balancing of exploration and exploitation: the contingent benefits of ambidexterity. Organ. Sci. 29(3), 449–470 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Raisch, S., Birkinshaw, J.: Organizational ambidexterity: antecedents, outcomes, and moderators. J. Manag. 34(3), 375–409 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Zimmermann, A., Raisch, S., Cardinal, L.B.: Managing persistent tensions on the frontline: a configurational perspective on ambidexterity. J. Manage. Stud. 55(5), 739–769 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Hinings, B., Gegenhuber, T., Greenwood, R.: Digital innovation and transformation: an institutional perspective. Inf. Organ. 28(1), 52–61 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Mergel, I., Gong, Y., Bertot, J.: Agile government: systematic literature review and future research. Gov. Inf. Q. 35(4), 291–298 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Weill, P., Ross, J.: A matrixed approach to designing IT governance. MIT Sloan Manag. Rev. 46(2), 26 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  17. De Haes, S., Van Grembergen, W.: An exploratory study into IT governance implementations and its impact on business/IT alignment. Inf. Syst. Manag. 26(2), 123–137 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Wu, S.P.J., Straub, D.W., Liang, T.P.: How information technology governance mechanisms and strategic alignment influence organizational performance: insights from a matched survey of business and IT managers. MIS Q. 39(2), 497–518 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Leclercq-Vandelannoitte, A., Bertin, E.: From sovereign IT governance to liberal IT governmentality? A Foucauldian analogy. Eur. J. Inf. Syst. 27(3), 326–346 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Schlosser, F., Beimborn, D., Weitzel, T., Wagner, H.T.: Achieving social alignment between business and IT–an empirical evaluation of the efficacy of IT governance mechanisms. J. Inf. Technol. 30(2), 119–135 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Tonelli, A.O., de Souza Bermejo, P.H., Dos Santos, P.A., Zuppo, L., Zambalde, A.L.: IT governance in the public sector: a conceptual model. Inf. Syst. Front. 19(3), 593–610 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Xue, L., Ray, G., Sambamurthy, V.: Efficiency or innovation: how do industry environments moderate the effects of firms IT asset portfolio? MIS Q. 36(2) (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Piccinini, E., Hanelt, A., Gregory, R., Kolbe, L.: Transforming industrial business: the impact of digital transformation on automotive organizations. In: Proceedings of the International Conference for Information Systems, Fort Worth, Texas, US (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Walsham, G.: Interpretive case studies in IS research: nature and method. Eur. J. Inf. Syst. 4(2), 74–81 (1995)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. www.lansstyrelsen.se. Accessed Mar 2020

  26. Silverman, D.: Interpreting Qualitative Data. SAGE Publications Limited, London (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Eisenhardt, K.M.: Building theories from case study research. Acad. Manag. Rev. 14(4), 532–550 (1989)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Mithas, S., Rust, R.T.: How information technology strategy and investments influence firm performance: conjecture and empirical evidence. MIS Q. 40(1) (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  29. Myers, N., Starliper, M.W., Summers, S.L., Wood, D.A.: The impact of shadow IT systems on perceived information credibility and managerial decision making. Acc. Horiz. 31(3), 105–123 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Cokins, G.: The top seven trends in management accounting. EDPACS 53(4), 1 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Rolland, K.H., Mathiassen, L., Rai, A.: Managing digital platforms in user organizations: the interactions between digital options and digital debt. Inf. Syst. Res. 29(2), 419–443 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Banker, R.D., Hu, N., Pavlou, P.A., Luftman, J.: CIO reporting structure, strategic positioning, and firm performance. MIS Q. 35, 487–504 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Berente, N., Lyytinen, K., Yoo, Y., King, J.L.: Routines as shock absorbers during organizational transformation: Integration, control, and NASA’s enterprise information system. Organ. Sci. 27(3), 551–572 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Yeow, A., Soh, C., Hansen, R.: Aligning with new digital strategy: a dynamic capabilities approach. J. Strateg. Inf. Syst. 27(1), 43–58 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Eisenhardt, K.M., Graebner, M.E.: Theory building from cases: opportunities and challenges. Acad. Manag. J. 50(1), 25–32 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. www.digg.se. Accesses Mar 2020

  37. Bannister, F.: The curse of the benchmark: an assessment of the validity and value of e-government comparisons. Int. Rev. Admin. Sci. 73(2), 171 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Swedish Center for Digital Innovation, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

    Johan Magnusson & Jwan Khisro

  2. Kristiania University College, Oslo, Norway

    Johan Magnusson

  3. Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden

    Ulf Melin

Authors
  1. Johan Magnusson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jwan Khisro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ulf Melin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Johan Magnusson .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Danube University Krems, Krems, Austria

    Gabriela Viale Pereira

  2. Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands

    Marijn Janssen

  3. Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK

    Habin Lee

  4. Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden

    Ida Lindgren

  5. University of Granada, Granada, Spain

    Manuel Pedro Rodríguez Bolívar

  6. University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Hans Jochen Scholl

  7. Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands

    Anneke Zuiderwijk

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 IFIP International Federation for Information Processing

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Magnusson, J., Khisro, J., Melin, U. (2020). A Pathology of Public Sector IT Governance: How IT Governance Configuration Counteracts Ambidexterity. In: Viale Pereira, G., et al. Electronic Government. EGOV 2020. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 12219. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-57599-1_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-57599-1_3

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-57598-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-57599-1

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Societies and partnerships

Search

Navigation