Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
A comprehensive explanation for all discretions may require a combination of
theories. This study shows that adoption of ICT may derive various types of discre-
tions. Although the geoICT domain is small, it is prone to discretions because of a
relatively limited group of professionals being aware of the geoICT technical choices
and opportunities. As a result, project outcomes may differ significantly from origi-
nal project coordination objectives, as public sector managers are not sufficiently
capable of managing the origins or the consequences of each of the discretions. A
first attempt in understanding the reasons for emerging discretions combines iso-
morphic theory, resource dependency theory, and transaction cost theory. Refining
such a theory with more empirical evidence is recommended, linking discretions to
internal organizational and external-domain specific functions. There is not a best
practice of researching or evaluating discretions or of executing geoG2Gs without
any discretions. However, acknowledging and understanding that discretions may
still emerge regardless of how strictly projects are managed or regulated is a better
practice than ignoring such behavior altogether.
Author Biography
Walter Timo de Vries ( w.t.devries@utwente.nl) is an assistant professor and course
coordinator for land administration at the faculty of geo-information science and
earth observation, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands. He has a geodetic
engineering (MSc) degree from Technical University Delft and a PhD degree in
public administration from Erasmus University Rotterdam. His research addresses
cooperation and coordination needed to align geoICT and information services
within the public sector.
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