Multinational and Indigenous IT Companies in Ireland: Exploring the Spatial Relationships between the Two Tiers

Information Technology (IT) multinational enterprises (MNEs) have garnered a significant amount of attention in relation to the growth of indigenous IT sectors (Brannigan and McManus, 2014; Siedschlag, Zhang and Smith, 2013; van Oort and Atzema, 2004). Compared to some sectors, the IT industry - which trades in immaterial goods - may be less dependent on spatial constraints since it does not rely on large scale labor force or massive movement of raw materials. This alleged ‘death of distance’ promises great changes in international business and poses questions about how indigenous economies and spatial policy are being affected (Maeng and Nedovic-Budic 2008 and 2010). Even though in principle international business is open to organizations of any size, in practice it tends to be dominated by MNEs. MNEs can sustain the cost and capacity of operating across countries and to address the volatility of functioning across diverse jurisdictions. Still, MNEs do not exist in a solely stateless space. They need to ‘touch the ground’ in specific places to hire people and get work done, to set headquarters and formalize legal bounds. They also play an important role in the formation of industrial clusters and networks (Nadvi, 1995) From the perspective of local host economies, attracting an MNE is perceived as a means of stimulating the growth of indigenous companies through knowledge spillovers (Motohashi and Yuan, 2010; Breznitz, 2010). Often, a question for governments is if the presence of MNEs within their territory benefits the indigenous economy and if there is a satisfactory number of new firms emerging from the purported knowledge and capital spill-overs. This is especially the case for IT as there are lower barriers to accessing means of production for entry into the market (Benkler: 2006), resulting in a higher potential for small businesses to start and grow. The objective of policy makers in attracting MNEs is not only job creation via MNEs, but job and wealth creation via the emergence of new indigenous IT companies and the strengthening of existing indigenous companies, through transfer of knowledge and other forms of capital from MNEs. The policy process is also focused on encouraging regional innovation systems which comprise of both international and indigenous companies, and ultimately helps build a national innovation system (Chung, 2002). Against this broad background, the presented research focuses on networks of inter-organizational relations (rather than the classic dichotomy hierarchy vs. market), which are approached through a spatial analysis of clusters. More precisely, it focuses on the spatial dimension of their interactions and the nature of their communications. While we recognize the complexity of these phenomena, with this research we aim at a concrete contribution to the debate on clustering and proximity as locational factors (among others: Mole et al.: 2011)

Expanding the Spatial Data Infrastructure Knowledge Base

Research on spatial data infrastructures (SDIs) is not well grounded in theory, and SDI practice often does not adequately take into account previous experiences. The purpose of this paper is to raise awareness about knowledge areas available to academics and professionals involved in studying or developing SDIs. Along with technical tools, both groups need to engage the theoretical and conceptual apparatus in their efforts to understand and address technological and organizational processes and requirements of SDIs. After briefly addressing the existing SDI literature and identifying research gaps, the paper reviews the main disciplinary areas that would contribute to institutionalization of SDIs and to ensuring their broad utility: (1) information infrastructure, (2) interorganizational collaboration-cooperation-coordination (3C), (3) intergovernmental relations, (4) action network theory, and (5) use-utility-usability (3U) of information systems. We assess their value and limitations in supporting SDI research and development. The following elements are identified as potentially contributing to the SDI conceptual framework: the mutually supporting role of SDIs, geographic information systems (GIS), and information and communication technologies (ICT) and infrastructures; the notion of an installed base and capacity building activities responsive to the local conditions and needs; consideration of political, social, economic, cultural, and institutional context; incorporation of 3C principles and opportunities; attention to intergovernmental relations and the emergence of E-governance; understanding of the networked environment of data users, producers, and managers; employing user-centered approaches; and evaluating SDI accessibility and utility. The proposed framework is comprehensive, although it excludes important but often less challenging technical topics in order to focus on organizational and user perspectives.published or submitted for publicationis peer reviewe

Becoming a uCity: The Case of Chicago

ABSTRACT: The concept of a ubiquitous city, or uCity, is gaining attention worldwide. In a uCity, anyone is enabled by information and communication technologies (ICT) to do anything, anywhere, at any time. The uCity concept has spread more quickly than its implementation, which relies on a complex set of interrelated technologies, practices, and actors, including but not limited to the provision of ICT infrastructure, the availability and accessibility of information and services, and the adoption of mobile communication devices by a variety of users. To aid in measuring and implementing a uCity, we explore ways to measure the “ubiquity” of a city, with particular attention given to the first “A” above – i.e., “anyone”. Empirical findings from Chicago highlight: 1) ICT access, 2) the connectivity of institutions and individuals, and 3) the ubiquity of virtuality. A socio-technical perspective and social network and social capital theories guide this study. The underlying social and motivational processes are essential to all aspects of becoming a uCity. KEYWORDS: Ubiquitous city, urban planning, community informatics, Chicag

Where to go first: prioritization of damaged areas for allocation of Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) operations (PI-USAR model)

This paper presents the development of a spatial model for the allocation of the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) operation by computing the priority index of damaged areas (PI-USAR model). The relevant prioritization criteria were identified through a literature review and interviews with 30 disaster managers. The relative importance of these criteria was computed as weights using an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method; the criteria were combined based on AHP rules and spatial multi-criteria decision-making analysis in geographic information system (GIS). The PI-USAR model was applied in the case study area of the Bam city in Iran and a priority map was produced indicating four highly prioritized areas. The model was validated by comparing the obtained priority map with the actual priority map (APM) using fuzzy inference system and relative operating characteristic methods. The result suggested a good fit between the APM and the model's output. Sensitivity analyses were performed using the map removal and the single parameter methods. With the uncertainties and complexities that are inherent to the spatial data, spatial modelling and the earthquake phenomenon itself, the PI-USAR model offers some utility to disaster managers in understanding the significance of each criterion in the decision-making process and in identifying the highly prioritized areas for the allocation of USAR operations. However, its utility is best exploited in conjunction with other complementary sources of field data based on the immediate post-disaster situation

Integrating flood risk management and spatial planning: legislation, policy, and development practice

Flooding is expected to become more common and more severe as climate change progresses. Past and ongoing research suggests that a better integration between spatial planning as a nonstructural measure and flood risk management is one way to deal with the problems related to flooding. In order to better understand the potential of such integration, the case of the River Dodder catchment in Ireland is used to examine the extent to which flood objectives are integrated with spatial plans and whether the actual development reflects the attempts to plan and manage potential flooding. The study reveals that recent legislation formally supports the integration of spatial planning and flood risk management. In turn, such legal requirements are reflected in spatial plans that demonstrate increasing attention to flood risk. However, the greater consideration of flooding in policy terms did not always coincide with flooding-conscious development. Initial evidence seen in this case shows that the actual development may occur against preservation policies that are prescribed in the plans and may lack a comprehensive consideration of flood risks. It is therefore concluded that the link between legislation, policy, and development is complex and indirect, and that a closer look at the factors that intervene in their relationship and determine the nature of their causality (if any), would offer further insight into the prospects of integration of spatial planning and flood risk management

The Challenges of Implementing Sustainable Development: The Case of Sofia’s Master Plan

In this paper, we explore how master planning promotes and implements particular urban development patterns and, more generally, contributes to sustainability. Our goal is to understand the link between urban growth intentions articulated through the master planning process and realisation of its specific forms, e.g., monocentric or polycentric, compact or dispersed. As a case study, we examine the current General Urban Development Plan (GUDP) of the Bulgarian capital Sofia against the city’s actual development pattern. We observe that the primary goals of the GUDP are to promote a polycentric urban structure and low-density expansion, as well as preserve green edges. While the question of whether and how these goals reflect the sustainability ideal requires further consideration, there are some indications that Sofia’s GUDP may not be effective in encouraging sustainable forms of growth. Substantial inconsistencies exist between the plan’s overall goals and some of its measures and implementation tools. The results on the ground suggest that, despite the plan’s low-density aspirations, Sofia is becoming more compact and densified, while losing its green edges and failing to redirect growth to its northern territories where ample space and opportunities exist. We conclude that employing the achievements of research on sustainability and developing relevant implementation tools such as more effective zoning regulations and viable suburban transportation infrastructure are necessary for realising both the patterns proposed through master planning and achieving sustainable urban growth

Online Decision Support Infrastructures for Integrating Spatial Planning and Flood Risk Management Policies

Accessible geospatial data are crucial for informed decision making and policy development in urban planning, environmental governance, and hazard mitigation. Spatial data infrastructures (SDIs) have been implemented to facilitate such data access. However, with the rapid advancements in geospatial software and modelling tools, it is important to re-visit the theoretical discussion about the different roles of data-focused SDIs and decision support and modelling tools, particularly in relation to their different impacts on policy making and policy integration. This research focuses on addressing this issue within the specific context of policy integration in spatial planning and flood risk management. To investigate this, an experiment was conducted comparing a data-focused SDI, the Myplan Viewer, with a prototype Internet-based Spatially Integrated Policy Infrastructure (SIPI). The findings reveal that the SIPI, which provides access to both data and decision support and modelling tools, significantly enhances policy integration compared to the Myplan Viewer. Moreover, drawing upon communicative action theory, this study underscores that while data-focused SDIs support instrumental goals, they possess limitations in facilitating trade-offs and balancing diverse interests in the policy-making process, particularly in supporting strategic and communicative actions

Integrating spatial planning and flood risk management: a new conceptual framework for the spatially integrated policy infrastructure

Flooding is a widely occurring natural hazard that noticeably damages property, people, and the environment. In the context of climate change, the integration of spatial planning with flood-risk management has gained prominence as an approach to mitigating the risks of flooding. The absence of easy access to integrated and high-quality information, and the technologies and tools to use information are among the factors that impede this integration. Limited research has been conducted to develop a framework and to investigate the role of information and technologies in this integration. This study draws primarily on the European experiences and literature and identifies three dimensions of the integration of spatial planning with flood-risk management: territorial, policy, and institutional. To facilitate integration and in accord with these three dimensions, a Spatially Integrated Policy Infrastructure (SIPI) is conceptualised that encompasses data and information, decision support and analysis tools, and access tools and protocols. This study presents the connections between SIPI elements and integration dimensions, which is important for a better understanding of roles of geographic information and technologies in integration. The conceptual framework of SIPI will govern further development and evaluation of SIPI