Information quality as capstone in negotiating e-government integration, interoperation and information sharing

A core challenge of e-government integration and interoperation is the computer-supported sharing of information. So far, e-government research has paid little attention to Information Quality (IQ), although this is central to government agencies willingness to share or to use shared information in this context. In our study, we demonstrate and detail how IQ serves as an indispensable capstone and common ground in cross-agency information-sharing and interoperation projects. We base our analysis on key players and constituents in e-government, their institutional needs and wants, their roles and agendas and how those shape the understanding of IQ. In particular, we distinguish between desired, negotiated and emergent IQ and how these are linked to the choice of organisational arrangements and utilised standards. Finally, we further detail how IQ-oriented research helps facilitate e-government integration and information sharing in research and practice.