Reaping the benefits: How corporate governance enhances ICT governance in the South African public sector – Insights for developing nations

Corporate governance structures are progressively acknowledged as fundamental facilitators of ICT governance within the public sector. However, within the context of developing nations, the operationalisation of governance principles into tangible ICT outcomes frequently remains an area warranting further scholarly inquiry. This article examines the practical advantages afforded by corporate governance mechanisms as applied within South African governmental ICT settings, drawing upon qualitative data derived from 55 comprehensive interviews conducted with Government Information Technology Officers (GITOs). Through the application of thematic analysis, four interconnected domains of benefit were identified: heightened regulatory adherence, enhanced transparency and accountability, optimised information system efficiency, and improved project accomplishment rates. Whilst established governance frameworks, such as COBIT and King IV, are demonstrably institutionalised, their efficacy is primarily evinced through their capacity to foster ethical stewardship, facilitate systematic strategic planning, and ensure coherence across diverse ICT functions. This investigation contributes to the extant literature by furnishing an empirically substantiated, practitioner-informed exposition of governance enactment within intricate administrative ecosystems. The resultant findings possess considerable practical utility for public sector organisations endeavouring to harness governance as a catalyst for digital transformation, particularly within the resource-constrained environments characteristic of many developing economies.