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Mobilize Your Data Democracy

Designing a data democracy can close the costly gap between data asset availability and use, as described in this audio edition of the September 2025 briefing.
Abstract

Many organizations fail to realize value from their data investments, with only an average of 28 percent of employees drawing on reusable data assets. This briefing positions as a solution establishing a data democracy: an organizational state where all employees have data access, skills, motivation, and guidance for strategic use. We present a framework showing how specific connecting structures, such as centers of excellence and cross-functional teams, can amplify democratization practices. By intentionally designing this organizational state, leaders can increase the use of their organization’s available data assets, achieve greater employee empowerment, and maximize financial returns on their data investments.

The September 2025 research briefing is read by author Nick van der Meulen.

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Follow the research briefing podcast series on SoundCloud.

© 2025 MIT Center for Information Systems Research, Van der Meulen, Someh, Wixom, and Beath. MIT CISR Research Briefings are published monthly to update the center’s member organizations on current research projects.

About the Researchers

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Ida A. Someh, Senior Lecturer in Business Information Systems, UQ Business School, The University of Queensland, Australia and Academic Research Fellow, MIT CISR

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Cynthia M. Beath, Professor Emerita, University of Texas at Austin and Academic Research Fellow, MIT CISR

MIT CENTER FOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS RESEARCH (CISR)

Founded in 1974 and grounded in MIT's tradition of combining academic knowledge and practical purpose, MIT CISR helps executives meet the challenge of leading increasingly digital and data-driven organizations. We work directly with digital leaders, executives, and boards to develop our insights. Our research is funded by member organizations that support our work and participate in our consortium. 

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