The diffusion of standard information models in road asset management-a study based on the human-technology-environment model

Abstract

This paper reports on findings from the first stage of an exploratory study into the factors that influence the diffusion of ontologies in the Road Asset Management sector in Australia. The study investigates issues related to the diffusion of standard information models (taxonomies, road classifications and hierarchies, as well as various information systems conceptual schemas) in Road Asset Management. Individual and group interviews were conducted with 14 industry experts in four South Australian road authorities at state and local government level. The qualitative analysis of the findings is based on the preliminary HTE (human, technology, environment) conceptual model [1]. The findings suggest that the diffusion of standard information models at industry level is a complex process that combines human characteristics with technology and environment characteristics.