Empirical analysis in factors affecting spatial data sharing

Spatial data sharing is fundamental to the promotion of spatial data infrastructure. Data sharing is affected by diverse and complex factors, which have been studied largely by the approach of observing organizational development. Quantitative messages and qualitative descriptions have been obtained through gathering of organizational messages from short-term surveys with massive questionnaires or through relatively in-depth case studies. But the stability of research results has been affected by the questionnaire contents, the appropriateness of responding subjects chosen, how thorough the understanding of organizational operation was and the timing of investigation, as well as the judgment of the correctness of the information gathered. Given little research having investigated the messages about the subjects by long-term observation, this article takes the approach of direct, in-depth involvement and long-term observation on the organizational process of spatial data sharing to gather the first-hand and consistent data of Taichung City Government´s n development on spatial data over the span of 17 years. Preliminary analysis of the factors affecting spatial data sharing is made by empirical research. Also, the complexity of spatial data sharing is explained from the multiple, interactive dimensions of Balanced Scorecard. The present research presents to verify, based on empirical data, that the dimension of influence of regulation enforcement is a direct and crucial factor, with part of the findings echoing to other previous research. The present research is hoped to understand, based on the materials of unprecedented, long-term empirical research, the real causes of the influences on spatial data sharing and to explain it.