Challenges and policy recommendations for IT governance in the University of Medical Sciences: a case study

“Information and Communication Technology (ICT) governance” was introduced in developed countries in the late 1990s and replaced ICT management. In addition to the separation of the ICT responsibilities between different units/levels, ICT governance allowed universities to develop mechanisms for monitoring ICT decisions in line with the University's vision, mission, and strategic goals through the distribution of the decision-making rights to various stakeholders. This study aimed to investigate the ICT management challenges in the university under study and explore the need for ICT governance.

This is a qualitative-descriptive case study conducted in the three stages of preparation, identification, and analysis and prescription in one of the universities of medical sciences in Tehran (from November to December 2021).  Semi-structured interviews based on judgmental purposeful sampling and FGDs were used for data collection, and qualitative content analysis in ATLAS-ti software was used for data analysis.

Structurally, the only macro-policymaking body in the ICT field is the ICT council, which is inefficient in providing general direction and standards. In terms of processes, it lacks a mission and a long-term plan, and it has failed to integrate the university and ICT decisions, as well as steering decisions toward the university's goals. In terms of relational mechanisms, it hasn't been able to create a unified procedure in the implementation of ICT policies by creating a common language between ICT and the owners of the main processes in the university.

To get out of the current situation, the university needs serious changes in the ICT structure and the university users’ approach to ICT. These changes require the adoption of an indigenous ICT governance model tailored to the current and future problems and needs of the university toward full integration.