Independent, Consistent, Comprehensive

Collaborative trans-sector policies

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As mentioned, a key element of the process of transformation is the move away from silo-based solutions to a more encompassing horizontal approach.

One of the reasons we have so many social and economic crises is that we can no longer make any progress within the silo-based structures that exist in businesses, industry sectors, politics and government. The complexity of modern societies and economies requires a horizontal approach, but the reality is that there are many obstacles to this, as people are very protective of their silos and ivory towers. They will use all sorts of threats, such as security, privacy and disruption, to stop a more transparent attitude being adopted in a collaborative environment with others.

In his research into this problem, Professor Nico Baken of the University of Delft in the Netherlands coined the term ‘trans-sector’.

Trans-sector vs. Cross-sector

It is important to identify the difference between cross-sector and trans-sector. Cross-sector means that two or more sectors are trying to work together. This often leads to situations where people will say:

‘I like to work with you as long as you do it my way.’


 

The trans-sector approach calls for business and government leadership at the very top, directing the various silos to work together in order to find new solutions. 


 

In government, this needs to be reflected in policies relating to energy, environment, healthcare, education and so on.


 

The sharing of national infrastructure is a key element in these policies.
(Source: BuddeComm)

To embark on the transformation process, an intelligent infrastructure is needed – ultimately based on fibre networks with a large number of wireless access points.

If a holistic government policy were to be developed that directed the various sectors under its control to use one shared national ICT infrastructure significant savings would be made by tapping into the digital productivity that such a shared infrastructure can provide. Then sufficient funds would flow from their budgets into digital infrastructure projects to create a good business case for the deployment of high-speed ICT infrastructure in all but the more remote parts of the country. It has been argued that savings in healthcare alone could pay for such a national infrastructure.

Here are some examples of why a trans-sector policy is needed to drive the transformation:

·         In healthcare alone, there are hundreds of silos, with specialists unwilling to share information and work collaboratively.

·         By law, utilities are not allowed to share data that would make it possible to manage their water, energy, gas and other infrastructure more effectively.

·         Regulations also make it impossible for other industries to generate energy – for example, on their factory roofs – and share it with the neighbouring community.

·         The current energy network is completely unprepared for the management of PV systems and for the approaching marketing blitz of electric vehicles.

·         Privacy laws need to be rewritten to make data sharing possible in keeping with permission-based policies (the users should own their own data, not the utility, health provider, etc).

·         The 17th century-based International Property Right system needs to be changed, opened up to innovation and flexibility, and aimed at advancing knowledge, thus advancing our society in order to face the challenging future.

·         Governments should develop clear vision statements on how they will use smart ICT tools and infrastructure to build smart countries, cities, communities and buildings.

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