Cross-Border Data Transfer Compliance in Public Agencies

Abstract

Background: Effective governance of cross-border data depends on more than formal authorization, especially where public agencies and institutional coordination are uneven.

Objective: The investigation focused on whether formal arrangements concerning cross-border data translated into consistent practice and how this intersected with public agencies.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 549 relevant officials, professionals, service users, or regulated actors measured implementation quality, institutional capacity, procedural clarity, transparency, and perceived effectiveness. Descriptive statistics and multivariable regression were used to examine factors associated with stronger implementation.

Results: Analysis of 540 complete questionnaires on cross-border data showed that 44% of respondents experienced consistent implementation, while 21% encountered substantial procedural or capacity constraints. Adjusted models linked better implementation to role clarity, staff capability, and availability of formal guidance.

Conclusion: Across the settings examined, stronger outcomes relating to cross-border data were tied to the institutional arrangements supporting day-to-day implementation. Accordingly, information governance is strongest when disclosure, data handling, oversight, and review duties are explicit and operationally supported.

Study design: agency compliance survey.

Publication history: Originally published in print on 15 June 2024, Volume 4, Article 15. Online abstract record added on 16 September 2026. Full-text PDF will be added when the digital galley is ready.