Since 2009, Open Government Data initiatives have been launched worldwide and the concept of open data is gaining momentum. Open data are often associated with realizing ambitions, such as a more transparent and efficient government, solving societal problems and increased economic value. There has been ample literature describing the (potential) benefits of open data. However, to switch to an open data policy may pose a challenge to the business model of National Mapping & Cadastral Agencies (NMCAs), especially if they are required to generate sufficient revenue to cover a substantial part of their operating costs. This research aims to assess the effects of open data policies on the business models of NMCAs and which adaptations have been made to cope with revenue losses due to open data supply. In March and April 2017, we surveyed European NMCAs to find out which strategies NMCAs employ to be able to (re)finance operational costs and to ensure long-term sustainability of (open) data. This report provides the initial outcomes of the survey and will provide an input for a workshop on Sustainable Open Data Business Models for NMCAs, to be held 18-19 September 2017 in Delft, The Netherlands. This workshop will bring together the NMCAs to present and share their experiences of open data and discuss the research results with representatives of academia.@en

EuroSDR (http://www.eurosdr.net/) is a non-profit organisation that provides a pan- European network that brings together mapping/cadastre agencies and academia for the purpose of applied research, and securing timely, research-based knowledge that allows the agencies to play their role as content providers and government competence centres for geographic information and spatial data infrastructures. EuroSDR is the recognised provider of research-based knowledge to a Europe where citizens can readily benefit from geographic information. Its mission is to develop and improve methods, systems and standards for the acquisition, processing, production, maintenance, management, visualization, and dissemination of geographic reference data in support of applications and service delivery. EuroSDR delivers advanced research-based knowledge. Its value is generated by facilitating interaction between research organisations and the public and private sector with the aim of exchanging ideas and knowledge about relevant research topics; by facilitating and contributing to research projects; and by transferring knowledge and research results to real world applications. The paper gives an overview about EuroSDR research principles, research alliances, objectives and action plans of each of the technical commissions.@en

EuroSDR (http://www.eurosdr.net/) is a non-profit organisation that provides a pan-European network that brings together mapping / cadastre agencies and academia for the purpose of applied research, and securing timely, research-based knowledge that allows the agencies to play their role as content providers and government competence centres for geographic information and spatial data infrastructures. EuroSDR is the recognised provider of research-based knowledge to a Europe where citizens can readily benefit from geographic information. Its mission is to develop and improve methods, systems and standards for the acquisition, processing, production, maintenance, management, visualization, and dissemination of geographic reference data in support of applications and service delivery. EuroSDR delivers advanced research-based knowledge. Its value is generated by facilitating interaction between research organisations and the public and private sector with the aim of exchanging ideas and knowledge about relevant research topics; by facilitating and contributing to research projects; and by transferring knowledge and research results to real world applications. The paper gives an overview about EuroSDR research principles, research alliances, objectives and action plans of each of the technical commissions. @en

Big data belooft veel voor surveillance. Toezicht houden is per definitie informatie-intensief. Het is dan ook niet verwonderlijk dat toezichthouders projecten opstarten om de nieuwe mogelijkheden van big data te exploreren. We spraken Gaël Kermarrec. Hij leidt sinds 2010 een big data project bij de Sociale Inspectie van de Federale Overheidsdienst Sociale Zekerheid in België. Het project is gericht op verbetering van de fraudebestrijding.@en

Big data is a well-known phenomenon, even a buzzword nowadays. It refers to an abundance of data and new possibilities to process and use them. Big data is subject of many publications. Some pay attention to the many possibilities of big data, others warn us for their consequences. This special issue goes beyond the hype. It contains accessible contributions about opportunities and threats of big data. The authors have put special emphasize on big data institutions. Many publications about big data seem relatively poor on institutions, reflecting a more technocratic approach. In this first contribution we will introduce core concepts around big data. Additionally, we will specify the need to delve into institutions of big data.@en

Onderzoek uitgevoerd in opdracht van Rijkswaterstaat.@en

The motives for building SDIs are often based on anticipated benefits for society, economy, and environment. According to those widely articulated, but rarely proven benefits, SDI coordinators have been defining more specific objectives to be achieved by their SDIs. However, there is a limited number of assessment approaches able to demonstrate if SDIs indeed realize the intended goals. In this article we develop, apply and evaluate an assessment view for evaluating the extent to which SDIs realize their goals. The assessment view has been developed stepwise using the Multi-view SDI assessment framework (Grus et al., 2007) as a guideline. The method of developing an assessment view consists of 4 phases: 1) defining an assessment purpose; 2) developing an assessment view; 3) applying an assessment view; 4) evaluating the extent to which SDI realize its goals. Phase 1 focuses on stating the purpose of the proposed assessment view. Based on the analysis of various assessment models and approaches (Chelimsky, 1997; Hansen, 2005; Grus et al., 2007) it has been stated that the purpose of the proposed assessment view is to answer the question: to what degree has the SDI goals has been realized? Phase 2 focuses on developing the assessment view. The development of the assessment view consists of 6 steps: 1) identifying SDI goals; 2) compiling a long list of potential indicators; 3) identifying SDI stakeholders; 4) organizing a workshop; 5) selecting and matching the indicators with SDI goals; 6) formulating an assessment view. Phase 3 focuses on applying the formulated assessment view by measuring the values of the selected indicators. Phase 4 focuses on interpreting the meaning of the indicators values measured in the previous phase. The developed assessment view has been tested in the Dutch SDI. In 2008, the Dutch government approved the GIDEON document as a policy aiming at the implementation of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) in the Netherlands (VROM, 2008). The execution of GIDEON should take place by pursuing the achievement of the GIDEON goals specified in the GIDEON policy document. GIDEON also expresses the need to monitor the progress of implementing its goals. However, there is a lack of knowledge and methods to monitor GIDEON goals realization. The practical applicability of the proposed assessment view has been demonstrated by its implementation in the Dutch SDI case. The development of the assessment view phase was hampered by the problem to reach consensus on the specific assessment indicators. This was because the Dutch SDI goals were too vaguely defined which led to multiple interpretations of what exactly is going to be achieved by the Dutch SDI. These difficulties hampered also the evaluation phase due to the limited number of appropriate indicators. These results suggest that the precision with which SDI goals are defined substantially impact the reliability and relevance of the assessment results. The assessment view was evaluated by its potential users. The group of potential users consisted of people actively involved in creating, managing and using the Dutch SDI. The results of this evaluation indicate that the users agree with its design and its applicability to assess to what extent SDI reach their goals. However, in the Dutch SDI case, the appropriateness of the final list of indicators was a matter of concern. The presented assessment view is designed in a generic way i.e. assuming that SDI goals are defined and the organizations that participate in SDI creation are known, the method can be applied to measure the extent of goals realization of any SDI e.g. INSPIRE. @en

The motives for building SDIs are often based on anticipated benefits for society, economy, and environment. According to those widely articulated, but rarely proven benefits, SDI coordinators have been defining more specific objectives to be achieved by their SDIs. However, there is a limited number of assessment approaches able to demonstrate if SDIs indeed realize the intended goals. In this article we develop, apply and evaluate an assessment view for evaluating the extent to which SDIs realize their goals. The assessment view has been developed stepwise using the Multi-view SDI assessment framework (Grus et al., 2007) as a guideline. The method of developing an assessment view consists of 4 phases: 1) defining an assessment purpose; 2) developing an assessment view; 3) applying an assessment view; 4) evaluating the extent to which SDI realize its goals. Phase 1 focuses on stating the purpose of the proposed assessment view. Based on the analysis of various assessment models and approaches (Chelimsky, 1997; Hansen, 2005; Grus et al., 2007) it has been stated that the purpose of the proposed assessment view is to answer the question: to what degree has the SDI goals has been realized? Phase 2 focuses on developing the assessment view. The development of the assessment view consists of 6 steps: 1) identifying SDI goals; 2) compiling a long list of potential indicators; 3) identifying SDI stakeholders; 4) organizing a workshop; 5) selecting and matching the indicators with SDI goals; 6) formulating an assessment view. Phase 3 focuses on applying the formulated assessment view by measuring the values of the selected indicators. Phase 4 focuses on interpreting the meaning of the indicators values measured in the previous phase. The developed assessment view has been tested in the Dutch SDI. In 2008, the Dutch government approved the GIDEON document as a policy aiming at the implementation of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) in the Netherlands (VROM, 2008). The execution of GIDEON should take place by pursuing the achievement of the GIDEON goals specified in the GIDEON policy document. GIDEON also expresses the need to monitor the progress of implementing its goals. However, there is a lack of knowledge and methods to monitor GIDEON goals realization. The practical applicability of the proposed assessment view has been demonstrated by its implementation in the Dutch SDI case. The development of the assessment view phase was hampered by the problem to reach consensus on the specific assessment indicators. This was because the Dutch SDI goals were too vaguely defined which led to multiple interpretations of what exactly is going to be achieved by the Dutch SDI. These difficulties hampered also the evaluation phase due to the limited number of appropriate indicators. These results suggest that the precision with which SDI goals are defined substantially impact the reliability and relevance of the assessment results. The assessment view was evaluated by its potential users. The group of potential users consisted of people actively involved in creating, managing and using the Dutch SDI. The results of this evaluation indicate that the users agree with its design and its applicability to assess to what extent SDI reach their goals. However, in the Dutch SDI case, the appropriateness of the final list of indicators was a matter of concern. The presented assessment view is designed in a generic way i.e. assuming that SDI goals are defined and the organizations that participate in SDI creation are known, the method can be applied to measure the extent of goals realization of any SDI e.g. INSPIRE. @en