In today’s interconnected world, sharing data across national borders can drive innovation, improve public services, and help different sectors—business, government, academia, and society—collaborate on solving complex problems like aging populations and global pandemics. The European Union (EU) is making strides toward this goal by passing new regulations to create a unified digital market for data exchange across member states.

A key part of this effort involves the rise of data intermediaries like X-Road and eDelivery. These third-party organizations use open-source technologies to help government agencies and private companies securely exchange data, allowing them to work together more effectively. However, despite this growing momentum, sharing data across borders remains limited. Different countries use different systems, and navigating the EU’s complex regulatory environment presents significant challenges for organizations trying to exchange information.

This research explores the dynamics of cross-border data exchange, particularly in the Nordic-Baltic region, including Estonia, Finland, Latvia, and Lithuania. The focus is on how data sharing can enhance the Silver Economy, a market that provides products and services to people over the age of 50. The research also investigates broader issues of cross-border collaboration, using both regional case studies and a global example from the World Health Organization.

A critical framework guiding this research is the European Interoperability Framework (EIF), which outlines four layers—legal, technical, semantic, and organizational—that must be aligned for successful data exchange between countries. The study uses a blend of qualitative and quantitative methods to understand these challenges and provide solutions.

The findings are wide-ranging. One part of the research looks at how the principles of X-Road can be applied to future cross-border services. Another examines the barriers faced by Estonia and Finland in connecting their e-services. Additionally, the research maps out the technical infrastructure needed to support data sharing in the Silver Economy. It analyzes the impact of the Data Governance Act on small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This new law could make it easier for businesses to navigate the EU’s regulatory landscape and participate in cross-border data exchanges.

Future research must explore emerging concepts like Data Spaces, which aim to enable even greater cross-border data collaboration across Europe. Ultimately, enhancing cross-border data sharing will be crucial for tackling many global challenges that societies face today, from aging populations to health crises.

The thesis „Cross-Border Data Exchange In the Nordic-Baltic Region: Data Intermediaries, Interoperability, and e-Services Orchestration“ is published in the Digital Collection of TalTech Library.

Supervisor:

• Prof. Ingrid Pappel, TalTech, Estonia.

Co-supervisors:

• Prof. Sadok Ben Yahia,TalTech, Estonia;
• Prof. Dirk Draheim, TalTech, Estonia.

Oponents:

• Prof. Nitesh Bharosa, Delft University of Technology, Netherlands;
• Dr. Anastasija Nikiforova, University of Tartu, Estonia.

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