A Local-State Government Spatial Data Sharing Partnership

A Local-State Spatial Data Sharing Partnership Model to Facilitate SDI Development
Descriptive Case Study Framework
An important objective of the research was to understand the differing partnership
arrangements in existence and to compare and classify these data sharing partnerships. A
descriptive framework for classifying these data sharing partnerships was developed from
a range of literature including the collaborative process (Child et al. 2005; Gray 1989;
Mulford & Rogers 1982), partnership process (Lank 2006; Lendrum 2000) and the
dimensions of collaboration (Prefontaine et al. 2003). The descriptive framework consists
of six main components, namely:
1. the jurisdictional environment;
2. the institutional environment;
3. establishment and direction setting;
4. partnership operation and maintenance;
5. governance; and
6. key outcomes.
The collaborative environment (components 1 and 2 above) was identified by a number of
authors (Alter & Hage 1993; Child et al. 2005; Gray 1985; Mulford & Rogers 1982;
Prefontaine et al. 2003) as an important component in collaborations. Within the
framework the jurisdictional environment was described across the dimensions of
geography, public sector, economy and property sector. The geographical dimension
provided a perspective on the complexities of government service delivery due to either
the number of government units, size or remoteness. These factors characterise the
jurisdictional structure and the possible impact of fragmentation which may act as a
determinant of collaboration (Mulford & Rogers 1982). The economic position and size of
the government sector primarily related to the availability of resources which were also
found to be a primary determinant (Mulford & Rogers 1982; Oliver 1990; Schermerhorn
1975). The property sector is also briefly examined to examine linkages to necessary
regulatory requirements (Halpert 1982; Oliver 1990) and mutual interdependence (Gray
1989; Mulford & Rogers 1982).
The individual institutional environment is described to examine the policy and legal
frameworks that exist at an organisational level. The importance of institutional issues
were identified in both spatial data sharing literature (Harvey 2001; Masser & Campbell
1995; Nedovic-Budic & Pinto 2000; Nedovic-Budic et al. 2004a; Obermeyer 1995; Onsrud
& Rushton 1995a) and collaboration research (Alter & Hage 1993; Child & Faulkner 1998;
Gray 1989). Within this institutional environment, historical developments which have
resulted in the partnerships between local and state governments are described. The
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