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Governing Data, Governing Power: A Framework for Participatory Data Governance in the Global South

Marie-Louise Wijne

Journal of the Association for Information Systems2026article
AJG 4*ABDC A*
Weight
0.50

Abstract

Digital data play an increasing role in development projects in the Global South, yet ensuring that the data needs of local communities (particularly marginalized groups) are met remains a critical challenge. Building on Richard Heeks’ structural data justice model, this paper conceptualizes data governance as the locus where power relations materialize into data (in)justices. It introduces the Participatory Data Governance (PDG) framework, which operationalizes data governance into four key elements and provides an analytical tool to examine how and to what extent community members influence decision-making on the data systems that shape their lives. Applying the PDG framework to case studies in the Global South shows that participation varies across key data governance elements within single projects and enables a more fine-grained and critical analysis of how institutional contexts structure opportunities for meaningful participation and progress toward data justice.

Cite this paper

@article{marie-louise2026,
  title        = {{Governing Data, Governing Power: A Framework for Participatory Data Governance in the Global South}},
  author       = {Marie-Louise Wijne},
  journal      = {Journal of the Association for Information Systems},
  year         = {2026},
}

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Governing Data, Governing Power: A Framework for Participatory Data Governance in the Global South

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Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

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