ISSN: 2222-6990
Open access
This study conducts a systematic literature review of 135 Chinese-language journal articles on data governance in higher education published between 2015 and 2024. Applying the PRISMA framework and Snyder’s methodology, the review examines publication trends, research methods, and thematic focuses. The findings indicate that while scholarly attention to data governance has increased—driven by policy reforms, digital transformation, and institutional demands—existing research remains largely conceptual and system-oriented, with limited empirical analysis and insufficient attention to user participation. Five major challenges are identified: data quality inconsistencies, limited faculty data literacy, siloed data systems, underdeveloped data culture, and weak security mechanisms. Compared to international studies that emphasize behavioral engagement, trust, and integration, Chinese research still lacks user-centered perspectives. This review contributes by mapping the current research landscape, revealing critical blind spots, and offering practical implications for improving governance effectiveness in Chinese universities, particularly through more inclusive, integrated, and behaviourally responsive approaches. This review also forms the basis for a separate conceptual modeling paper submitted to the same conference.
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