A Local-State Government Spatial Data Sharing Partnership

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Conclusions and Implications
case studies with a quantitative study of the local government environment. The strengths
of this approach were undoubtedly the ability to triangulate the findings of one method
with the results of another. The mixed methods approach also provides the capacity to
examine the research problem in both depth and breadth. Therefore, this research
methodology may be utilised more commonly in the future as researchers seek to explain
and quantify the outcomes of other dimensions of information systems or organisational
research.
The findings from the factor analysis underscore the key motivations for sharing of data,
particularly at the local government level. LGAs are very tightly resourced and highly
business driven. Therefore, the linkage of data sharing initiatives to the business processes
of LGAs is more likely to result in more successful and sustainable outcomes. The
research also indicates that policies at that state and local level should be aligned where
possible to ensure that there is minimal conflict. Local governments are more likely to
follow the lead of state agencies on policy development due to their limited capacity to
develop their own specific spatial information access and pricing policies.
Increasing, LGAs are at the cutting edge of spatial data access and provision through the
use of the internet and web mapping. Because of the closeness of LGAs to their
customers, they see immediate and significant benefits through providing information
access to the local community. Information access facilitates better service and evidence
indicates that it reduces the number of general enquiries. Organisational support and
leadership were also rated highly and agree with previous theoretical and empirical
research.
Like spatial information itself, spatial data sharing partnerships are maturing in both
purpose and operation. The model builds on existing knowledge by recognising that
partnerships are predominantly process driven. The research identified a number of key
processes such as performance management, partnership formulation and governance
arrangements are critical to the successful development and operation of these
partnerships. The findings of the research, in particular the better understanding of the
business imperatives of data sharing partnerships, are considered a significant advance in
our understanding of these collaborations.
Further, the model recognises the nexus between the collaborative process and the
institutional and jurisdictional environments. Although these environments have been
identified by a number of authors in collaboration literature, this research found that these
environments have the potential to significantly impact on the initial formation and