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Mechanisms of power inscription into IT governance: lessons from two national digital identity systems

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  • Medaglia, Rony
  • Eaton, Ben
  • Hedman, Jonas
  • Whitley, Edgar A.

Abstract

Establishing IT governance arrangements is a deeply political process, where relationships of power play a crucial role. While the importance of power relationships is widely acknowledged in IS literature, specific mechanisms whereby the consequences of power relationships affect IT governance arrangements are still under-researched. This study investigates the way power relationships are inscribed in the governance of digital identity systems in Denmark and the United Kingdom, where public and private actors are involved. Drawing on the theoretical lens of circuits of power, we contribute to research on the role of power in IT governance by identifying two distinct mechanisms of power inscription into IT governance: power cultivation and power limitation.

Suggested Citation

  • Medaglia, Rony & Eaton, Ben & Hedman, Jonas & Whitley, Edgar A., 2022. "Mechanisms of power inscription into IT governance: lessons from two national digital identity systems," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 108207, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:108207
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    File URL: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/108207/
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    Cited by:

    1. Cordella, Antonio & Gualdi, Francesco & van de Laar, Mindel, 2024. "Digital skills within the public sector: a missing link to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 122256, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    power; IT governance; digital identity; Denmark; United Kingdom;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R14 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Land Use Patterns
    • J01 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics: General

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