Corporate governance, decision making and evidence: an information management perspective

In an increasingly litigious environment, contemporary public sector organisations are encountering myriad challenges, not the least of which is the manner in which they manage one of their most valuable resources – information. This is occurring at a time when more sophisticated information technology is made available at the desktop of knowledge workers who can develop increasingly autonomous work practices. Consequently, if public agencies are to have confidence that they can provide accurate and reliable evidence of their decision making activities to government, they face an important challenge – the development of rigorous strategies and policies supported by an appropriate information management culture. A coherent corporate governance framework is an important mechanism to facilitate and ensure compliance with regulations and the development of appropriate internal accountability arrangements.