Developing a smart city by operationalizing the co-creation of value model

ABSTRACT

This article describes a project that used the co-creation of value model to collect and analyze data on storm drains for a city so that that the city could become smarter in managing the water drainage issues. The city worked with a university center and ensured that the key success factors were met. The project was able to integrate science and technology through information systems; analyze, optimize, control, and monitor the conditions of the 27,000 storm drains in the city; and enhance the decision-making process for the city. This case study provides an example of how a city and a university center can co-create value thereby helping the city’s management become “smarter” in managing its storm drains and facilitating a rich field-based educational experience for the students.

Supplemental data

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed on the publisher's website at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15228053.2016.1160734.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Stephen Dawe

Stephen Dawe is a PhD student in the Harbert College of Business at Auburn University. He is also the Chief Technology Officer for the City of Opelika, Alabama, USA and conducts research on smart city applications, smart city systems integration, GIS technologies, and the Internet of Things.

Chetan S. Sankar

Chetan S. Sankar is the Harbert College of Business Advisory Council Professor of Management Information Systems at Auburn University. He has received more than $3 million from several National Science Foundation grants to develop exceptional instructional materials that bring real-world issues into classrooms. He has won awards for research and teaching excellence from the Society for Information Management, NEEDS, the Decision Sciences Institute, the American Society for Engineering Education, the American Society for Mechanical Engineering, the International Network for Engineering Education & Research, Computer World, Campus Technology, and the Project Management Institute. He is the managing editor of the Journal of STEM Education: Innovations and Research and Director of the Geospatial Research and Applications Center.