IT governance and its impact on enhancing the efficiency of internal control

Abstract

The research aims to identify the impact of IT governance in enhancing the efficiency of internal control, and to identify statistically significant differences according to research variables (IT governance as an independent variable and internal control efficiency as a child variable). In order to achieve the objectives of this research, a questionnaire was designed to address the relationship between IT governance and internal control efficiency in accordance with the five areas (dimensions) of COBIT2019 and its impact on the principles of integrated COSO (17). The questionnaire was distributed to the auditors of the internal control and audit division and the employees of the IT divisions in the branches of the General Company for the Distribution of Petroleum Products for five provinces, which represents one of the bodies of this company (The Middle Euphrates Authority for the Distribution of Petroleum Products) in a survey of their opinions. The resolution included two axes, one comprising five areas and the other one. The most important conclusion of the research is that there is a moral impact of the independent variable (IT governance) on the variable adopted (efficiency of internal control). A positive and statistically significant relationship between the dimensions of IT governance (COBIT 2019 five dimensions) and the efficiency of internal control (COSO integrated principles). In the light of these results, the research made a number of recommendations, the most important of which are: adopting governance standards and establishing their rules in oil companies for the purpose of increasing their capacity and efficiency and spreading information awareness of the culture of IT governance with its standards of transparency, accountability and participation that are reflected in the upgrading of the performance and efficiency of these companies, the adoption of IT governance in Iraqi public oil companies in general and a distribution company for petroleum products in particular because of their impact on enhancing the efficiency of internal control.