Research on geographic information sharing in different cultural backgrounds

In the research field of geographic information sharing, the current main research gap identified is that studies on individual and organizational behavior of geographic information sharing are still in its infancy. In order to research geographic information sharing in different cultural backgrounds from behavioral perspective, the geographic information sharing behavior model developed by Omran et al, 2007 is introduced. This model incorporates Hofstede´s cultural dimensions and motivational factors for describing cross-cultural geographic information sharing. The relations in the model are formulated in the form of 23 hypotheses. Under the supports of the China Association for Geographic Information System(CAGIS), a formal questionnaire survey has been conducted in many Chinese departments relating to geographic information collection, management and application. Combing with Omran´s empirical research, a comparative research in different cultural backgrounds is made since China, Egypt and the Netherlands respectively have different cultures. The results provide support for most of the proposed hypotheses, emphasizing the role of cultural differences and motivational factors on the individual and organizational geographic information sharing, and also realize that the geographic information sharing model can be applied in other countries, both developed and developing. The comparison of different national cultures for geographic information sharing would provide useful input for the further development of the geographic information sharing environment. Based on the quantitative results of the empirical research and China´s actual situation, some policy suggestions that aim for advancing construction of geographic information sharing environment in China are put forward.