A theoretical framework on the determinants of organisational adoption of interoperability standards in Government Information Networks

Increasingly, electronic governance involves multi-organisational ICT-enabled networks. Such "Government Information Networks" have the potential to be a key enabler of smart governance for the post-2015 development Agenda. However, this potential remains undermined because the partner organisations in these networks often fail to adopt and comply with the necessary interoperability standards. This paper therefore develops a theoretical framework on the determinants for the adoption of interoperability standards by organisations in Government Information Networks. Based on a literature review and data from two case studies in the Netherlands, it identifies the relevant determinants and conceptually groups them into seven determinant constructs. For each of these constructs, relevant sub-constructs are specified. By identifying key adoption determinants, the framework thus provides a useful analytical lens for policy-makers and researchers working on interoperability in government. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Inc.