Governance Dynamics of Spatial Data Infrastructures

• Main Author: Sjoukema, Jaap-Willem
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01.01.2021
• Subjects: Bureaucracy; Cost control; Efficiency; Evolution; Executive orders; Feedback; Funding; Geographic information science; Government; Information industry; Information science; Infrastructure; Management; Open data; Organizational behavior; Planning; Science; Society; Spatial data; Stakeholders; Trends
• ISBN: 9798209901228

To facilitate spatial data sharing and exchange, many organisations developed Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDIs). SDIs, also known as geo-information infrastructures, are becoming nowadays more mature worldwide, but are also challenged by new technologies and user demands. Proper SDI governance seems essential, but it is unclear to what extent current SDI governance is fully equipped to deal with the dynamics and complexity of SDIs. The objective of this research is to analyse SDI governance dynamics and to develop tools in order to gain insights in current SDI governance and their possible future. First, two longitudinal SDI case studies were conducted about the governance of large-scale base maps in the Netherlands and Flanders (Belgium). Both initiatives represent decades-long undertakings to create a large-scale base map. We found that SDI governance is adaptive, as it changed considerably during the evolution of these two SDIs. In most cases, the governance approaches of these SDIs did not hold up very long, as they were either not meeting their goals, were not satisfying all stakeholders or were not in alignment with new visions and ideas. Recently, the instruments governing these SDIs have become increasingly diverse. We see especially an increase in hierarchical instruments in these two cases. In general, governance scientists agree that by using a broader mix of policy instruments, governance becomes more adaptive. To gain more insights in SDI governance and the shifts we observed, a framework was developed for evaluating the governing system of SDIs based on the theoretical conceptions of Kooiman (2003). In this framework we distinguish two levels: an actor level, where images are formed, instruments are chosen and applied into action, and a structural level, where the formal and informal structures and resources reside which enable or constrain the actor level. This framework is applied to two Dutch SDI cases: the Risk Map and the New Map of the Netherlands. With the help of the framework, the strong and weak aspects of the governing system of SDIs become apparent and insights emerge on which interactions, images, instruments, actions and structures enable or constrain SDI governance. By observing changes in governing systems over time, dynamics in this system become visible. Therefore, the framework is an useful analytical tool for gaining more insights in SDI governance and its dynamics.