A mixed-method approach for evaluating spatial data sharing partnerships for spatial data infrastruture development

[Abstract]: In recent years interjurisdictional partnerships have emerged as an important mechanism for establishing an environment conducive to data sharing and hence the facilitation of SDI development. However, unless the partnership arrangements are carefully designed and managed to meet the business objectives of each partner, it is unlikely that they will be successful or sustainable in the longer term. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the methodological approaches and relevant issues for researching these new data sharing partnerships and their relationships to SDI development. This paper proposes a research methodology for investigating both the organisational context of data sharing partnerships and the factors that contribute to the success of interjurisdictional data sharing initiatives. The paper examines past research and theory in spatial data sharingand examines the characteristics of a number of existing data sharing models and frameworks. The use of a mixed-method approach to evaluate local-state government partnerships in Australia is described. Finally, the validation of the mixed-method approach and its generalisation to other SDI and data sharing initiatives is discussed.