Refining the Concept Syndicate Data: Categories and Characteristics, Definitions, and a View Ahead

Abstract

This chapter introduces the concepts of external data and syndicate data. It contributes with a conceptual discussion regarding different categories of syndicate data, as well as definitions and applications thereof. In addition, the chapter also gives a view ahead for syndicate data, with respect to organizational, as well as technological challenges and trends. Thereby, it increases the understanding for syndicate data as a vital component in business intelligence initiatives and explains why external data in general and syndicate data in particular has become prerequisites in modern information systems. Furthermore, the author hopes that the categorization and view ahead will not only contribute to researchers through the conceptual discussion and the definitions of concepts, but also to practitioners spending resources on data originating from outside the own organization, by increasing the understanding of the concepts and the actors within the industry.