The role of governance: Setting up cross-sectoral data-sharing ecosystems

Technological advancements drive the digital transformation of Critical Infrastructures (CIs) management. Here, organizational data-sharing has emerged as a critical component for effective collaboration. To facilitate such data-sharing the correct IT governance (ITG) mechanisms for the right phase of the collaboration play a pivotal role in fostering cooperation and data-sharing among CI managers. However, several challenges are associated with data-sharing, such as accountability, security, privacy, and data quality. By implementing the right ITG mechanisms, sharing barriers can be reduced, and confidence can be instilled in establishing data-sharing efforts. Therefore, based on a mixed method approach, consisting of a multi-case study, which highlights one instance where such data-sharing failed and another where it was a success, and an experiment that aims to mimic the different phases of both these projects, this paper seeks to explore the relationships between different governance mechanisms and data-sharing among CI managers, to overcome these difficulties.