Spatial Conflict in the Information Age

9412592奥伯迈耶 新技术的影响往往比开发这些技术时最初预期的要大得多，也更为复杂。 因此，技术创新的推动者经常在与创新直接相关的具体活动相去甚远的领域声称这些创新的重要性。 例如，地理信息系统的倡导者声称，地理信息系统的广泛采用将通过向冲突各方提供更大范围的更准确和更及时的信息来最大限度地减少地点冲突。 然而，这一说法尚未经过科学检验。 研究人员研究了人与人之间和群体之间冲突的来源和动态，确定了两个不同的冲突基础。 “认知冲突”涉及基于对事实信息的不同解释的冲突。 有证据表明，地理信息系统等新的信息技术通过帮助冲突各方从更相似的知识基础上运作，往往有助于解决冲突。 相反。 “利益冲突”是基于冲突双方的价值观差异。 这项女科学家研究规划补助金将进行一项试点研究，旨在研究潜在的价值差异影响冲突各方使用GIS的方式。 三个案例研究将被用来审查一个替代假设，认为地理信息系统增加，而不是减少土地使用的冲突，因为额外的“事实”和分析，通过使用地理信息系统是由不同的当事方有选择地使用，以支持自己的立场。 这三个案例研究包括审查财政红线，选举选区重划，以及在立法区的公共产品的分配。 每个案例研究将包括确定争议中的“关键角色”，然后进行电话和面对面访谈 讲习班期间，将特别强调地理信息系统技术在解决冲突或冲突持续方面的作用。 作为一项规划补助金，该奖项的主要目的将是开发和完善研究方法，可用于对这一主题进行更全面的研究。 这一试点也将产生更多的直接效益。 该项目除了有助于对正在深入审查的具体案例有新的理解外，还将加强对冲突中认知和利益因素的形式和作用以及新信息技术的社会后果的理论讨论。

9412592 OBERMEYER The impacts of new technologies frequently are far greater and more complex than originally was anticipated when the technologies were developed. As a result, promoters of technological innovations frequently make claims regarding the significance of those innovations in realms far removed from the specific activities directly related to the innovation. Advocates of geographic information systems (GISs), for example, have claimed that wide-spread adoption of GISs will minimize locational conflicts by making a greater range of more accurate and more current information available to conflicting parties. This assertion has not been scientifically tested, however. Researchers who have examined the sources and dynamics of conflict among people and groups have identified two separate bases of conflicts. "Cognitive conflict" relates to conflicts based on different interpretations of factual information. Evidence exists that new information technologies like GISs often facilitate resolution of conflict by helping conflicting parties to operate from more similar knowledge bases. In contrast. "interest conflict" is based on differences in the values of conflicting parties. This Research Planning Grant for Women Scientists will conduct a pilot study of methods designed to examine the ways that underlying value differences affect the use of GISs by conflicting parties. Three case studies will be used to examine an alternative hypothesis that holds that GISs increase rather than decrease conflict over land uses, because the additional "facts" and analyses available through use of a GIS are used selectively by the different parties to support their own positions. The three case studies consist of examinations of financial redlining, electoral redistricting, and distribution of public goods in legislative districts. Each case study will consist of identification of "key players" in the controversy followed by telephone and face-to-face interviews with those participants, during which special emphasis will be placed on the role of GIS technology in the resolution or continuation of conflict. As a planning grant, the primary purpose of this award will be to develop and refine research methods that can be used in a more comprehensive study on this topic. This pilot also will yield more immediate benefits. In addition to contributing to new understandings of the specific cases under intensive review, the project will enhance theoretical discussions of the forms and roles of cognitive and interest factors in conflicts and the social consequences of new information technologies.