Data-driven governance model: resilience of government organizations in the face of crisis

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Management, Faculty of Management and Economics, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran, Saedi.a@lu.ac.ir

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Management, Faculty of Management and Economics, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran, Tavassoli.m@lu.ac.ir

10.47176/SMOK.2026.1990

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a comprehensive data-driven governance model to enhance the resilience of public organizations in responding crises and managing uncertainty.
Methodology: A qualitative research design based on thematic analysis was employed. The study population consisted of academic experts and senior managers from public organizations. Using purposive sampling, 16 participants were selected. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using MAXQDA software. Instrument validity was established through expert review and pilot interviews, while reliability was ensured through independent coding by two researchers and comparison of coding results.
Results: The findings revealed that effective data-driven governance is supported by several enabling factors, including robust data infrastructure, top management support, organizational capabilities, and data-oriented culture. The proposed model is operationalized through strategies such as data integration, artificial intelligence adoption, advanced data analytics, and digital governance practices. Implementing these strategies enhances organizational resilience by improving the speed and quality decision-making, strengthening crisis preparedness and response, increasing operational flexibility, and promoting more effective organizational performance under uncertain conditions.
Discussion: The findings indicate that institutionalizing data-driven governance and making strategic investments in data infrastructure, digital technologies, and analytical capabilities enable public organizations to respond more proactively and effectively to complex and rapidly evolving crises.
Conclusion: Data-driven governance institutionalizes evidence-based decision-making across organizational and policy processes, enabling public organizations to anticipate uncertainty, reduce structural vulnerability, strengthen adaptive capacity, and improve crisis management. Accordingly, it provides strategic foundation for redesigning public governance systems in an increasingly complex, dynamic, and data-intensive environment.

Graphical Abstract

Data-driven governance model: resilience of government organizations in the face of crisis

Highlights

  1. A new data-driven governance model for resilient public organizations
  2. Data integration strengthens crisis preparedness and response
  3. AI and analytics improve evidence-based public decision-making
  4. Data-driven culture increases organizational resilience in crises
  5. Governance mechanisms transform data into organizational resilience

Keywords

Main Subjects

Copyright ©, Abdullah Saedi; Mohammad Tavassoli

License

Published by Imam Hossein University. This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this licence may be seen at http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode  

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History

  • Receive Date: 28 December 2025
  • Revise Date: 10 April 2026
  • Accept Date: 21 May 2026

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