Information Systems Governance as a system of rules : hierarchical declination and heterarchical declination[La Gouvernance du Système d'Information comme un système de règles : déclinaison hiérarchique et déclinaison hétérarchique]

The starting point of this communication is the observed limits of Information Systems Governance (ISG) forms, as typically found in ISG repositories. Heterarchical forms are more and more frequently observed in ISG (agility, transversality, decentralization…). However, a control should be set because heterarchy may sometimes lead to emerging issues such as instability, increased conflicts and waste of resources. Therefore, we propose a conceptual framework for defining different forms of ISG, hierarchical as well as heterarchical. Based on of Elinor Ostrom's work and IAD framework (Institutional Analysis and Development) we define a set of nine types of rules. Each type of rules is instantiated, first according to a hierarchical view, then according to a heterarchical one. Beyond a theoretical contribution, the set of rules can help CIOs in ISG improvement projects. It can also be used to make an organizational analysis of the ISG in a company when focusing on heterarchical forms.