A mixed method approach for evaluating spatial data sharing partnerships for SDI development

In recent years inter-jurisdictional 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 issues which arise when researching these new data sharing partnerships and their relationships to SDI development. In this paper a research methodology is proposed to investigate both the organisational context of data sharing partnerships and the factors that contribute to the success of inter-jurisdictional data sharing initiatives. The paper examines past research and theory in spatial data sharing and examines the characteristics of a number of existing data sharing models and frameworks. A mixed method research approach which combines both qualitative and quantitative methods using a case study strategy is then described. An example of the application of this methodological approach is then applied to the evaluation of local-state government partnerships in order to understand their characteristics and success factors. Finally, the validation of the mixed methods approach and its generalisation to other SDI and data sharing initiatives is discussed