Glenn Vancauwenberghe

Analysing spatial data performance in inter-organisational processes

The use of spatial data has become a key factor in numerous public sector processes. However, recent evidence suggests that the seemingly obvious benefits of spatial data use and sharing often stay beyond reach. This paper examines whether the performance of spatial data in inter-organisational processes depends on the structural characteristics of the process involved. Process structure here refers to the way in which tasks are divided and coordinated between the organisations in a process chain, and to the allocation of the spatial data handling tasks in that process. Spatial data performance describes the level of access, use and sharing of spatial data in the process. The paper presents the results of a comparative case study of inter-organisational public sector processes in the fields of urban planning, flood management, population registration, environmental permit delivery and road safety monitoring. The findings suggest that spatial data performance in inter-organisational processes depends on the interplay between the structural characteristics of the process. Unfragmented processes with embedded activities that are related to spatial data are apparently linked to a high level of spatial data performance, while fragmented processes without centralised coordination, or processes in which the spatial data-related activities are separated from the actual process, seem to relate to lower levels of spatial data performance.

Practices to Develop Spatial Data Infrastructures: Exploring the Contribution to E-Government

The main objectives of this chapter are to introduce Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDIs), and to explore their potential contribution to good e-government. In order to understand the possible strengths of SDIs for good e-government, the concept, components, governance, and the cost–benefit analyses regarding the implementation of these infrastructures are first explained and presented followed by a short presentation of four existing SDIs in practice (Europe, Catalonia, Flanders, and Leiedal). These practices clearly show the dynamic, integrated, and multiple natures of SDIs. The main reason to invest in SDIs is that they facilitate the sharing of spatial data in a way that the management and use of these spatial resources happens more efficiently and effectively. This concept of sharing resources from multiple sources is not common practice in e-government research and implementation. However, it is very likely that ICTs will play a key role in improving the sharing of public resources in order to have a more efficient and effective management and use of these resources. Therefore, the lessons learnt from the existing SDI-practices and understanding of the nature of SDIs could be useful support in developing good e-governments.

Assessment of the Conditions for a European Union Location Framework

The European Union Location Framework (EULF) is a set of good practices and actions to promote more effective and efficient use of location information in e-government services. The EULF is part of the Interoperability Solutions for Public Administrations (ISA) Programme, which supports interoperability solutions, sharing and re-use among European Public Administrations. This report assesses the conditions for an EULF, based on a survey of Member States and an examination of EU policies and work programmes. Five focus areas are being considered initially: policy and strategy alignment, e-government integration, standardisation and interoperability, costs and benefits and committed partnerships. The assessment confirmed their importance in realising and maximising the benefits of location-related information and services. There are various good practices demonstrating that these issues can be addressed and that benefits for governments, citizens and businesses can be delivered. However these good pratices are not universally deployed and there are some significant gaps. The assessment also identified other important issues, including the need for effective leadership and governance, a user-driven approach, an open and balanced data policy, training and awareness raising and appropriately targeted funding. There is, therefore, a need for an EULF, to build on the good practices and interest from Member States and to develop a framework of guidance and actions that will foster interoperable cross-sector and cross-border sharing and use of location information.

Governance of Open Data Initiatives

The effective development and implementation of open data initiatives requires governance in order to avoid gaps, duplications, contradictions and missed opportunities. Appropriate governance instruments should be established to coordinate the activities and contributions of different stakeholders. This chapter reviews the governance of open data initiatives worldwide, using a governance instruments approach as introduced by public administration researchers to analyse coordination and governance in the public sector. Six sets of governance instruments in the governance of open data initiatives are identified: collective decision-making structures, strategic management, allocation of tasks and responsibilities, creation of markets, interorganizational culture and knowledge management, and regulation and formalization of open data initiatives. The chapter shows how each of these six sets of instruments have been applied in various countries in the governance of nation-wide open data initiatives.

Location Information Strategies: Bringing Location into e-Government

Location information is of increasing importance for the execution of governmental tasks. Most of the information that is used by government has a spatial component. Like other types of governmental information, location-based information can be collected, managed, used, and exchanged with support of new information and communication technologies (ICT). In past years, governments have implemented many initiatives to promote and facilitate the use and exchange of location information. In many cases these initiatives are situated outside the e-government area. However, many authors and practitioners have stressed the need for the integration of location information activities within e-government. In order to bridge the gap between location information activities and e-government, several governments have developed and implemented a location information strategy. The objective of this chapter is to explore how the development of location information strategies contributes to a better integration of location information in e-government. An analysis of four European location information strategies shows that these strategies have two elements in common: they all highlight the significance of location information for realizing the objectives of e-government and define requirements and actions for a better understanding and wider use of location information. A better integration of location information in e-government provides benefits to governments, citizens, and businesses. Key actions for realizing these benefits are improving the access to location information, establishing core reference data, and providing society with the skills and knowledge necessary for handling location information.

Realizing Data Sharing: The Role of Spatial Data Infrastructures

In the past years, various initiatives have been taken to promote and coordinate the sharing of spatial data from multiple sources. These initiatives are often referred to as a whole with the term “spatial data infrastructure” (SDI), which can be seen as the collection of technological and organizational components oriented towards facilitating and coordinating spatial data sharing. Coordination, which can be defined as the alignment of tasks and efforts of different actors, is seen to be one of the key aspects of an SDI. Although several authors have stressed the importance of coordination in the context of SDI development, little attention has been paid to the impact of coordination efforts on the process of sharing spatial data to different users. The objective of this chapter is to explore whether coordination in the context of SDI contributes to the degree of spatial data sharing. The chapter makes use of evidence collected in a comparative case study of four public sector processes in the region of Flanders (Belgium). The results of this case study show that spatial data sharing can be coordinated at the level of individual organizations, the process, and the entire infrastructure (or SDI). The chapter concludes that the noted differences in the degree of data sharing between the various processes could not only be related to different levels of coordination efforts at the process level, but also to the extent of integration of these processes in the larger infrastructure.