Tracing the Historic Trajectory of GIS Development and Its Effects on Contemporary Practices

Abstract

This study explores the origin of GIS in Dane County in the state of Wisconsin, U.S. and traces the role of key actors and network of relations established among the key actors that were critical for the historical development of geographic information systems (GIS) in Dane County. It then discusses the interconnections between the county's past GIS history and its repercussions on their current GIS practices. The approach taken by this study draws inspiration from Chrisman (1997) who emphasizes the significance of situating the study of GIS implementation in its historical context in order to improve understanding of its use. GIS activities were initiated in Dane County because of the efforts of certain key actors from the university, county, and county board and networks established by these key actors with other powerful actors and agencies who worked in collaboration on key projects that laid the foundation for GIS implementation and use in the county. This article examines those key projects and their role in initiating GIS adoption in Dane County. Their role in establishing the Wisconsin Land Information Program is examined as well as their role in facilitating appropriate resources for initiating GIS use in the county. The article then argues that this historical context has influenced the current GIS activities of the county in three different ways such as the county's land-use oriented GIS use, more emphasis on parcel spatial data model development, and availability of funding for GIS endeavors.

A Methodological Framework for Geographic Information Systems Development

“…Nielsen et al (2011) stated that numerous industry sectors now at least partially depend on geospatial technology, including fields as diverse as civil engineering, public health, environmental science, urban and regional planning, and the geosciences. Mukherjee and Ghose (2011) stated that GIS adoption is shaped by the interaction between the technology and potential users within particular political, cultural and organizational contexts. Moon and Norris (2005) discussed eight human factors concerned with the adoption of GISs in organizations: perceived relative advantage of GISs, personal values and beliefs regarding GIS technology, level of computer experience, perceived complexity of the GIS, exposure to GISs, computer and GIS anxiety, attitude towards work-related changes and communication behavior.…”