How is information shared across the boundaries of government agencies? An e-Government case study

• Published in: Government information quarterly 2014-10, Vol.31 (4), p.637-652
• Main Authors: Yang, Tung-Mou, Pardo, Theresa, Wu, Yi-Jung
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Boundaries; Centralization; Decentralization; Electronic Government; Government Agencies; Information communication; Information Dissemination; Information sharing; Information systems; Intergovernmental Relations; Internet; Organizations; Public Services
• ISSN: 0740-624X; 1872-9517
• DOI: 10.1016/j.giq.2014.05.002

This paper explores how information is shared across the vertical and horizontal boundaries of government agencies. Different types of information sharing are identified and discussed in terms of their strengths and encountered challenges. Centralized types of information sharing are found as a primary strategy adopted to facilitate interagency information sharing in the two dimensions. Particularly, influential determinants from type comparisons and government agencies are identified and discussed regarding what agencies may take into considerations when selecting certain types of information sharing. While there is no single type of information sharing that can satisfy all the needs and concerns of government agencies, most agencies still simultaneously employ several types of information sharing in different circumstances. A competition-and-cooperation relationship exists among the different types of information sharing in both dimensions. The paper suggests that a balance between centralized and decentralized types of information sharing should be achieved to obtain advantages and diminish disadvantages. The similarities and differences between the types in the two dimensions are also compared and discussed. Lastly, the conclusion outlines the contribution and limitation of the current research and suggests future studies of the current work. •Centralized types of information sharing are found as a primary adopted strategy.•Types of information sharing in the vertical dimension are discussed.•Types of information sharing in the horizontal dimension are discussed.•A competition-and-cooperation relationship exists among the different types.•A balance between centralization and decentralization is discussed.