Presentation outlines a theoretical approach to understanding the impact of open source software and Web 2.0 on Geographic Information Systems (GIS). A new breed of GIS, termed GIS 2.0, is analyzed using Disruptive Innovation theory and applied to humanitarian information management.

1. The Disruptive Potential of GIS 2.0
Joshua S. Campbell
Association of American Geographers (AAG) Conference, Las Vegas
March 24, 2009

2. Outline
Open Source Paradigm Shift

FOSS4G

Web 2.0

GIS 2.0

Disruptive Innovation theory

Humanitarian Information Management


3. Goals
New Breed of GIS

Open Source is making GIS a commodity

Where does value migrate? / What is still „not-good-

enough‟?
Jobs-based approach to humanitarian information

Value of GIS 2.0

Distributed data collection

Data identification and dissemination


4. Open Source Paradigm Shift (O’Reilly 2005)
Open Source as field of scientific and economic

inquiry
„Paradigm shifts‟ as revolutionary processes in

science
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (Kuhn 1962)

Understanding this paradigm shift, and its

implications, requires Disruptive Innovation theory

5. Open Source Paradigm Shift
Impacts of FOSS have already happened…

Can be applied to open source GIS


6. FOSS4G
Free and Open Source Software for Geospatial

FOSS4G = Open Source + GIS

Represents a philosophical approach to software

freedom and a collaborative software development
environment

8. What is Web 2.0?
“a transformative force that‟s compelling companies

across all industries towards a new way of doing
business characterized by harnessing collective
intelligence, openness, and network effects”
--Tim O‟Reilly

9. What is Web 2.0?
Developed in the last five years

Services enabled by FOSS

Who uses Linux?

How about Google?

Again, an application of Disruptive Innovation theory

Value migration


10. What is a GIS?
A digital representation of the earth, structured to

support analysis
(Dobson, 2007)

Automated systems for the

collection, storage, retrieval, analysis, and
display of spatial data
(Clarke, 1995)

Should also include dissemination


11. GIS 2.0: A Reformulation
Free and Open Source Software

Web 2.0 philosophy

collective intelligence, network effects, openness

Open Standards

Interoperability


12. GIS 2.0: A Reformulation
Ubiquitous communication

Device convergence

Cloud computing


13. Disruptive Innovation (DI)
„Disruption is a theory: a conceptual model of cause

and effect that makes it possible to better predict the
outcomes of competitive battles in different
circumstances‟
-- The Innovators Solution

14. User expectations increase over time

15. A product at its introduction is below user expectations

16. Over time, its features increase faster than expectation
A product at its introduction is below user expectations

17. At some point, a products features
become more than the majority of
users needs
Over time, its features increase faster than expectation
A product at its introduction is below user expectations

18. This trend continues
into the future
At some point, a products features
become more than the majority of
users needs
Over time, its features increase faster than expectation
A product at its introduction is below user expectations

19. Overserved Market
Underserved Market

20. „good enough‟ Overserved Market
Competitive Advantage:
-- Speed
-- Convenience
-- Responsiveness
Driven by a modular
product architecture
„not good enough‟
Competitive Advantage:
-- Functionality
-- Reliability
Underserved Market Driven by an integrated
product architecture

21. GIS Market
ESRI products have exceeded the tipping point

GIS 2.0 has less features than ArcGIS….

but that only matters to the highest tiers of the

marketplace
GIS 2.0 is both a Low-End and New Market

Disruption

22. DI: Intrinsic to Open Source
Modular product architecture enables the group

collaboration development environment
Modular product architecture begins a process of

commoditization
Commoditization leads to a migration of value in the

system

23. DI: Commoditization
Value migrates to adjacent tiers of the product stack

To the tiers that are „not good enough‟

Determining what is „not good enough‟ is relative

What job is the product being hired for?


24. GIS 2.0: Jobs-based approach
Humanitarian Information Unit

Identifies key sources of geospatial and georeferenced

data
Collects timely, verifiable, and relevant data

Analyzes data determine significant trends and

relationships;
Disseminates information of value to all levels of

consumers, from national-level policymakers to
operational field managers

25. Humanitarian Information Marketplace = Overserved

26. DI: ROI is measured in social good
How can DI be adapted for situations where the Return

On Investment is measured in social good?
Answer: Catalytic Innovation

They create systemic social change through scaling and

replication.
They meet a need that is either over served (because the

existing solution is more complex than many people require) or
not served at all.
They offer products and services that are simpler and less

costly than existing alternatives and may be perceived as
having a lower level of performance, but users consider them to
be good enough.

27. GIS 2.0: Collection
Widespread cellular networks: SMS

Ushahidi and InSTEDD

Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI)

Cloud storage and processing


32. GIS 2.0: Dissemination
Multiple tiers of users

Web mapping applications

.

GeoCommons Finder!


34. GIS 2.0: Conclusion
The Open Source Paradigm Shift is just beginning in

the GIS world…
The value of GIS 2.0 tools for humanitarian

information management will continue to increase
Joshua S. Campbell

jsc1@ku.edu
