ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT The idea of sharing geographic data both within and between organizations remains largely resisted despite the obvious bene’ts that can be derived from data sharing activities and federal initiatives that promote them. The research presented in this paper examines the various properties of data sharing activities, as well as related motivations cited by members of organizations as reasons for entering into cooperative relationships. The ’ndings suggest that organizational members have a number of different reasons for engaging in data sharing relationships, with common missions/goals and saving of resources being the most frequently cited motivations. Financial resources are the more important reasons for external than for internal interactions. Further, both inter-and intraorganizational activities are guided with formalized mechanisms, the former predominantly in the form of legal contracts and agreements,

CONTENTS

4.1 Introduction .................................................................................................. 70 4.2 Motivations and Interaction Mechanisms-Concepts and Theory .....72