The Impact of Dynamic Information Systems Capabilities on Enhancing Organizational Digital Sovereignty: The Mediating Role of Cyber Resilience: A survey study at Northern Technical University

Abstract

The transition to digital sovereignty is a strategic imperative for educational institutions to ensure their independence and protect their knowledge assets in a rapidly evolving technological environment. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the mediating role of cyber resilience in the relationship between information systems capabilities and organizational digital sovereignty, specifically at the Northern Technical University. The study drew upon dynamic capabilities theory to explain how digital resources are leveraged to address cyber challenges, employing a descriptive-analytical approach and using a questionnaire as the primary data collection tool from academic and administrative leaders. The added value of this study lies in developing a measurement model by incorporating the digital resource coordination dimension as a core component of information systems capabilities. This provided a deeper understanding of how to align technological resources with the university's sovereignty requirements. The study's key findings confirmed that information systems capabilities are the cornerstone of achieving digital sovereignty and enhancing the independence of technological decision-making. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that cyber resilience plays a vital mediating role; the university's ability to withstand and recover from digital crises contributes to transforming technological capabilities into a sovereign reality that ensures operational continuity, free from external technological dependence. Based on these findings, the study recommended strengthening coordination and integration among university departments and enhancing the readiness of technical staff in business continuity and disaster recovery, while emphasizing the need to align these steps with established central frameworks and systems.