The influence of geographic information systems on natural resource decision-making

This dissertation analyzes the influence that geographic information systems (GIS) have on natural resource decision making. In theory, GIS has a great deal to offer to the natural resource management decision process. GIS's ability to predict the outcome of different alternatives has the potential to advance the limits of the spatial analysis needed for land use planning.; However, despite billions of dollars spent on GIS and decades of experience, the influence GIS provides to decision makers has been less than the information technology theory would have lead us to expect. To understand why this is so, this research evaluated the Bureau of Land Management's use of GIS within its natural resource management decision process.; The findings of this research add to our knowledge of the use of GIS within large organizations in two ways. First, this research expands current research methods to describe better the institutional use of this technology. Three research approaches combine to assess the influence that GIS brings to the decision making process. Policy analysis, participant observation and field case study methods were used to characterize different perspectives of BLM's application of GIS.; Second, the findings of this research identify two institutional factors that restrict the support that GIS provides to natural resource management. By institutional design, BLM has assigned GIS to a part of its natural resource management decision process where few decisions are made. Further more, natural resource decisions are made in a social process among a diverse group whose individuals possess often conflicting views. In applying the principles of positivist science, BLM has asked GIS to provide a singular answer to resource issues where many equally valid answers exist. Because BLM's GIS supports only one interpretation of spatial information, other points of view lack equivalent analysis.; Just as GIS continues to evolve, so do land management organizations. However, if the results of this research prove true, the type of change now underway within BLM is likely to further limit the influence that GIS brings to future natural resource decisions.