Designing a Data Governance System in the Private Sector Using Soft Systems Methodology (SSM): A Case Study of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture

Given the increasing importance of data in transparency, accountability, and economic opportunities, designing a private sector data governance system is crucial. This paper studies the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture and uses Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) to design a data governance system. The seven stages of SSM, from describing the problematic situation to implementing reforms, were executed. Data collection involved document analysis and 19 semi-structured interviews with experts. The study combines the macro framework of data governance with the four pillars of business intelligence to create a comprehensive picture of the data governance system. The findings indicate that realizing the data governance system, especially in connecting to national data repositories, depends on establishing e-government. Ideally, with e-government and smart government, data and information of all executive bodies fall under public ownership, necessitating revised laws and regulations governing data and information in the country. However, issues such as segmented data management laws, inadequate key data repositories, lack of cooperation among agencies, and data ownership challenges disrupt data system integration. The research suggests the Chamber of Commerce pursue bilateral and multilateral agreements with related agencies to accelerate the establishment of the data governance system in the private sector. The study highlights the importance of overcoming existing challenges and fostering cooperation among different agencies. While the full establishment of e-government is a long-term goal, interim measures such as strategic partnerships and agreements can significantly improve the data governance landscape, benefiting transparency, accountability, and economic opportunities within the private sector.