Examining the Relationship between IT Governance Software, Processes, and Business Value: A Quantitative Research Approach

What is the impact of information technology (IT) governance software on the actual processes of IT governance and through that on realizing the business value of IT? This article examines the conceptual foundations underlying this question and analyzes the available evidence based on a quantitative research approach. Using global survey-data from 41 companies that have implemented IT governance software we investigate both whether this is linked to better IT governance practices and, in a second link, to improved business value outcome. Examining each of the IT governance tool modules and considering the request, prioritize, fund, monitor, enforce, and realign processes comprising IT governance, our analysis shows that this reaction chain indeed exists. We also found that this can only be effective under certain conditions; implementation factors play a vital role, both in the improvement of IT governance processes, as well as in business value creation.