Lost in interpretation: Making sense of equivocalities and tensions in approaches to interoperability
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Interoperability promotes data-driven practices by enabling the aggregation and sharing of data from distributed information systems. It thus offers potential benefits to organizations for delivering more efficient and sustainable services. Despite its potentials, achieving interoperability remains a significant challenge. In this paper, we shed light on the obscure landscape of organizational challenges that lead to low interoperability. Based on a 3-year longitudinal single-case study of a public agency’s attempts to enhance interoperability, we uncover how three major categories of equivocality – scope, needs, and priorities – hinder approaches to interoperability at the data, software, and IT levels. We also reveal that entangled organizational tensions explain why such equivocalities emerge. By analyzing interoperability challenges from the combined concepts of equivocality and tensions, this paper offers a unique perspective on their intricate nature, making sense of the obscure landscape of challenges in various approaches to interoperability.
Authors: Ruth NF Sloot, Johannes T Voordijk, Leentje Volker
Institution: University of Twente
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,700
OpenAlex ID: W4403503379