Measuring Top Management's IT Governance Knowledge Absorptive Capacity

Abstract

ABSTRACT Top management's involvement in IT governance appears to positively influence the establishment and implementation of effective IT governance within organizations. Considering the lack of advancement in the area in practice, this study offers a deeper understanding of dimensions that help to explain top management's knowledge of IT governance. Using absorptive capacity as its theoretical underpinning, and based on Australian empirical data, this study shows that for top management to achieve higher levels of absorptive capacity of IT governance knowledge (ACAP-ITG), they need to focus on four dimensions: prior relevant knowledge, effective communication network, appropriate communication climate, and effective knowledge scanning. To further support the usefulness of the ACAP-ITG construct, this study empirically tested the relationship between the construct and corporate performance. This study presents top management in organizations with useful measures that can help them assess their organization's strengths and weaknesses related to ACAP-ITG.