Institutionalization does not occur by decree: Institutional obstacles in implementing a land administration system in a developing country

Abstract

This article focuses on the implementation of a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) in a developing country. It concentrates on the institutional obstacles of such implementations. Given the heterogeneity of data sources required for SDIs to function, inter-institutional cooperation is a fundamental condition for these infrastructures to operate successfully. It is argued that one of the main obstacles for institutional cooperation is the contradicting meanings assigned to a SDI by users and designers. Those contradicting meanings were identified through an interpretive study conducted in Guatemala. Using hermeneutic analysis, those meanings were synthesized into four main themes: (a) the contradicting views of Guatemalans and Europeans regarding the rationality of institutions; (b) the link between SDIs and work tasks; (c) institutional jealousy; and (d) the historical resistance to re-examine the institution of land ownership in Guatemala. Each of these themes is examined in the light of critical theory. In so doing, implications for practice and research are discussed. The article concludes by proposing a guideline based on Actor-Network Theory (ANT) that suggests a set of steps required to achieve institutional cooperation. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.