Journal of Economics Intelligence And Technology

Abstract: In the contemporary digital economy, organizations increasingly depend on data-driven insights to achieve strategic and operational excellence. However, the effectiveness of analytics is fundamentally shaped by the quality and governance of underlying data. This study investigates the role of modern data governance in enabling reliable analytics and fostering sustainable competitive advantage. Using a quantitative-dominant research design, data were collected from professionals across data-intensive industries, including finance, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and technology. The study examined the relationships among data governance practices, analytics reliability, and competitive advantage using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling. The findings reveal that strong data governance practices significantly enhance the reliability of analytics by improving data accuracy, consistency, and trustworthiness. Reliable analytics was found to play a critical mediating role in transforming governance capabilities into tangible performance outcomes. Sector-wise analysis indicated that technology and finance sectors demonstrate higher levels of governance and analytics maturity compared to other industries. The results highlight that modern data governance should be viewed as a strategic capability rather than a purely technical or compliance function. By strengthening data foundations, organizations can improve decision-making quality, increase operational efficiency, and achieve long-term competitive advantage. This study contributes to both academic and practical understanding by providing empirical evidence on how governance-driven analytics can serve as a sustainable source of business value in rapidly evolving digital environments.