Date of Conferral

2017

Degree

Doctor of Information Technology (D.I.T.)

School

Information Systems and Technology

Advisor

Jon W. McKeeby

Abstract

Data governance reaches across the field of information technology and is increasingly important for big data efforts, regulatory compliance, and ensuring data integrity. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore strategies for implementing data governance practices. This study was guided by institutional theory as the conceptual framework. The study's population consisted of informatics specialists from a small hospital, which is also a research institution in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. This study's data collection included semi structured, in-depth individual interviews (n = 10), focus groups (n = 3), and the analysis of organizational documents (n = 19). By using methodological triangulation and by member checking with interviewees and focus group members, efforts were taken to increase the validity of this study's findings. Through thematic analysis, 5 major themes emerged from the study: structured oversight with committees and boards, effective and strategic communications, compliance with regulations, obtaining stakeholder buy-in, and benchmarking and standardization. The results of this study may benefit informatics specialists to better strategize future implementations of data governance and information management practices. By implementing effective data governance practices, organizations will be able to successfully manage and govern their data. These findings may contribute to social change by ensuring better protection of protected health information and personally identifiable information.

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