The Impact of GIS on Local Government in Great Britain

• Published in: Geographic Information Systems to Spatial Data Infrastructure pp. 121 - 142
• Main Authors: Masser, Ian, Campbell, Heather
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Routledge 2020
• Edition: 1
• Subjects: GIS Facility; GIS Development; GIS Software; Local Authority Type; Global Geospatial Information Management; Spatial Data Infrastructure; British Local Government; Scottish Districts; NERC; Info Software; Shire Counties; Corporate Development; EU Joint Research Centre; Shire Districts; GIS Technology; Human Language Technologies; GIS Application; GIS Adoption; Uncertainty Avoidance; GIS Diffusion; GIS Implementation; Local Spatial Data Infrastructure; National Academy
• ISBN: 1138584622; 9781138584624
• DOI: 10.1201/9780429505904-7

The introduction of geographic information systems (GIS) technology involves the complex process of managing change within environments that are typified by uncertainty, entrenched institutional procedures and individual staff members with conflicting personal motivations. One of the most important groups of users of GIS is local government. The range of potential applications in this field is considerable, extending from property registers and highways management to emergency and land-use planning. The research examines the impacts of GIS on local government in Great Britain. The findings of the research indicate that the implementation of GIS in local government is as much social and political as technical in nature. The chapter provides an overview of GIS adoption and implementation in British local government based on the main findings of the comprehensive survey, while the second highlights some of the key issues raised by the case studies with regard to the impact of GIS on the activities of British local government.