Understanding inter-organizational collaboration andPartnerships in the development of national SDI

Abstract

The importance of spatial information is fast being recognizedby governments as essential in supporting a country's economic, social and environmental interests. Demand for high-quality spatially related information that is complete, up-to-date, interoperable and integratable isincreasing with impetus for managing widespread, long- and short-term disaster events, domestic security, environmental degradation and the need for improved community preparedness as a nation. The growth ofspatial data infrastructures (SDIs) at all levels of government is reliant oncollaboration both within and between jurisdictions and across the privatesector and involves a multitude of users and stakeholders. Much effort isbeing reported globally towards National SDI development. However, ourunderstanding of the collaboration and partnerships that contribute tobuilding these SDIs is still relatively poor.Whilst much literature exists on SDI initiatives, advances in SDIcomponents, data sharing, and how to structure and manage GIS-basedprojects, little contribution has been made to the nature of theinteractions between the various organizations and stakeholders.Further, National SDI initiatives have largely concentrated on leadagencies rather than the underlying states or provinces, which in somefederated countries either underpin the National initiative or develop SDIindependently.This paper will explore current understanding of collaboration andpartnership arrangements and will look at National SDI initiatives inAustralia to explore these issues. The paper argues that with a maturedunderstanding of the nature of collaboration, practitioners can betterinteract to form the long-lasting partnerships required to underpinNational SDI development.