Explaining IT Governance for Implementing Branchless Banking Through Digital Transformation

This research addresses the critical gap in Information Technology Governance (ITG) models specifically tailored for the successful implementation of Branchless Banking (BB). While ITG has been extensively studied, its application within the unique context of BB remains underexplored. This study proposes and validates an operational ITG model designed explicitly for BB implementation. Drawing upon a comprehensive literature review and insights from in-depth interviews with information security experts, this study identifies the key effects of ITG implementation on BB success. An operational model is developed and empirically validated using Partial Least Squares The structural modeling results demonstrate that ITG exerts a significantly more favorable and robust effect on BB success when mediated through Digital Transformation (DT). Furthermore, the core ITG framework components—Strategic Planning (SP), Risk Management (RM), and Quality Management (QM)—are found to have significant positive influences on the ITG framework itself. Crucially, ITG also exhibits a direct, positive, and significant impact on the successful implementation of BB. These findings underscore the necessity for banks to align their DT strategies with a robust ITG framework to effectively eliminate physical branches and digitize banking processes.

Keywords:

Digital Transformation (DT) , Branchless Banking (BB) , Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) , COBIT Framework , Risk Management (RM)