Location via proxy:   [ UP ]  
[Report a bug]   [Manage cookies]                
Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

The Needs, Wants, and Wishes of the Open Government Data Idea – The Emergence of a New Understanding

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Electronic Government (EGOV 2024)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 14841))

Included in the following conference series:

  • 558 Accesses

Abstract

Open government data (OGD) is commonly referred to as public organizations sharing data for anyone to reuse. Previous research has spent considerable time on understanding the individuals, organizations, socio-technical systems, and resources; included are barriers, risks, and resistance. The validity of the underlying idea is often taken for granted, while in practice, actors follow myths, the rhetoric is paradoxical, and researchers request evidence for the benefits. This study has the purpose of interrogating the OGD idea by using the metaphors of needs, wants, and wishes. Based on an analytical framework, 18 public documents were identified and analysed from various contexts. It is identified that the idea needs (1) implemented principles to make data reusable, (2) data from others, and (3) for data to be needed when actors satisfy other needs; while it wishes (1) reuse of data realizes benefits and (2) public organizations possess large quantities of reusable data. This paper did not identify any wants of the OGD idea. The paper concludes that the OGD idea conflates its principles with data, attaching sought benefits to data for which it is deficient. Giving rise to a situation where the wrong means are related to the wrong ends. This situation is unsatisfactory, as such this paper proposes a new way to understand OGD.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    It is important to distinguish between open data and the public sector (as government). The first is an idea, while the second is a field. This paper focuses on the open data idea’s implications for the government field, as such it uses the abbreviation OGD. It is not concerned with, e.g., open business data, open community data, and open science data.

  2. 2.

    7 of these documents were identified through [2].

  3. 3.

    Codes from the analysis are marked like this: “Code”.

  4. 4.

    https://opendatahandbook.org/guide/en/why-open-data/, accessed on the 2024-03-11.

  5. 5.

    https://web.archive.org/web/20230921094850/ https://opendatacharter.net/our-history/, accessed on the 2024-03-03.

References

  1. Need (2024). https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/need

  2. Ahlin, K., Crusoe, J.: Why should you believe in open data?-A document study examining persuasion rhetoric of OGD benefits. In: Janssen, M., et al. (eds.) EGOV 2022. LNCS, vol. 13391, pp. 274–287. Springer, Cham (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15086-9_18

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  3. Attard, J., Orlandi, F., Scerri, S., Auer, S.: A systematic review of open government data initiatives. Gov. Inf. Q. 32(4), 399–418 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Ayre, L.B., Craner, J.: Open data: what it is and why you should care. Public Libr. Q. 36(2), 173–184 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Badiee, S., Crowell, J., Noe, L., Pittman, A., Rudow, C., Swanson, E.: Open data for official statistics: history, principles, and implementation. Stat. J. IAOS 37(1), 139–159 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Barometer, O.D.: Open data barometer (2018). https://opendatabarometer.org/

  7. Barry, E., Bannister, F.: Barriers to open data release: a view from the top. Inf. Polity 19(1–2), 129–152 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Beno, M., Figl, K., Umbrich, J., Polleres, A.: Open data hopes and fears: determining the barriers of open data. In: Parycek, P., Edelmann, N. (eds.) E-Democracy and Open Government (CeDEM), pp. 69–81. IEEE (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Berners-Lee, T.: 5-star open data (2015). http://5stardata.info/en

  10. Beynon-Davies, P.: Business Information Systems. Bloomsbury Publishing (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Black, M.: XII-metaphor. In: Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, vol. 55, pp. 273–294. Oxford University Press Oxford (1955)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Bonney, R.: The concept of need. Ph.D. thesis, University of British Columbia (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Bowen, G.A.: Document analysis as a qualitative research method. Qual. Res. J. 9(2), 27–40 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Code Aotearoa: Open data tool kit (2021). https://codeforaotearoa.github.io/

  15. Cooperation OGD Austria: Open data principles (2016). https://www.data.gv.at/en/info/open-data-principles/

  16. Creswell, J.W., Creswell, J.D.: Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Sage Publications (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Crusoe, J.: Why is it so Challenging to Cultivate Open Government Data?: Understanding Impediments from an Ecosystem Perspective, vol. 124. Linköping University Electronic Press (2019). [Licentiate thesis]

    Google Scholar 

  18. Crusoe, J., Ahlin, K.: Users’ activities for using open government data-a process framework. Transforming Gov. People Process Policy 13(3–4), 213–236 (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Dawkins, R.: The Selfish Gene. Oxford University Press (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  20. De Saulles, M.: The Business of Data: Commercial Opportunities and Social Challenges in a World Fuelled by Data. Routledge (2020)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Endacott, R.: Clarifying the concept of need: a comparison of two approaches to concept analysis. J. Adv. Nurs. 25(3), 471–476 (1997)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Erdelez, S.: Information encountering: it’s more than just bumping into information. Bull. Am. Soc. Inf. Sci. Technol. 25(3), 26–29 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. European Data Portal: Module 1 – what is open data? (2020). https://www.europeandataportal.eu/elearning/en/#/id/co-01

  24. European Data Portal: Open Data Maturity (2021). https://www.europeandataportal.eu/en/impact-studies/open-data-maturity

  25. Gannon, B.: Outsiders: an exploratory history of is in corporations. J. Inf. Technol. 28(1), 50–62 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Government of South Australia: Open data principles (2024). https://www.dpc.sa.gov.au/responsibilities/ict-digital-cyber-security/policies-and-guidelines/data/open-data-principles

  27. Hellberg, A.S., Hedström, K.: The story of the sixth myth of open data and open government. Transforming Gov. People Process Policy 9(1), 35–51 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  28. Hossain, M.A., Dwivedi, Y.K., Rana, N.P.: State-of-the-art in open data research: insights from existing literature and a research agenda. J. Organ. Comput. Electron. Commer. 26(1–2), 14–40 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Janssen, M., Charalabidis, Y., Zuiderwijk, A.: Benefits, adoption barriers and myths of open data and open government. Inf. Syst. Manag. 29(4), 258–268 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Jetzek, T.: Innovation in the open data ecosystem: exploring the role of real options thinking and multi-sided platforms for sustainable value generation through open data. In: Analytics, Innovation, and Excellence-Driven Enterprise Sustainability, pp. 137–168 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  31. Jetzek, T., Avital, M., Bjorn-Andersen, N.: The sustainable value of open government data. J. Assoc. Inf. Syst. 20(6), 702–734 (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  32. Kitchin, R.: The Data Revolution: Big Data, Open Data, Data Infrastructures and Their Consequences. Sage (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Lakoff, G., Johnson, M.: Metaphors We Live By. University of Chicago Press (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  34. Langan, M.: Welfare: Needs, Rights and Risks. Routledge (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  35. Lee, D.: Building an open data ecosystem: an irish experience. In: Estevez, E., Janssen, M., Soares Barbosa, L. (eds.) Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance, pp. 351–360. Association for Computing Machinery (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  36. Lindman, J., Kinnari, T., Rossi, M.: Business roles in the emerging open-data ecosystem. IEEE Softw. 33(5), 54–59 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Melin, U.: Challenges and benefits in an open data initiative-a local government case study of myths and realities. In: Tambouris, E., et al. (eds.) 15th IFIP Electronic Government and the 8th Electronic Participation Conference (EGOV ePart 2016), vol. 23, pp. 111–122 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  38. Morgan, G.: Images of Organization: The Executive Edition, Thousand Oaks (1998)

    Google Scholar 

  39. Myers, M.D.: Qualitative Research in Business and Management. Sage Publications Limited (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  40. Myndigheten för digital förvaltning: Öppna och delade data (2021). https://www.digg.se/utveckling-av-digital-forvaltning/oppna-och-delade-data

  41. Nicholas, D., Herman, E.: Assessing Information Needs in the Age of the Digital Consumer. Routledge (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  42. Ogden, C.K., Richards, I.A.: The Meaning of Meaning: A Study of the Influence of Thought and of the Science of Symbolism. Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc. (1923)

    Google Scholar 

  43. Open Data Charter: Principles (2015). https://opendatacharter.net/

  44. Open Data Handbook: What is open data? (2015). https://opendatahandbook.org/

  45. Open Data Handbook: What is open data? (2015). http://opendatahandbook.org/guide/en/what-is-open-data/

  46. Open Knowledge: Open knowledge definition 2.1 (2015). http://opendefinition.org/

  47. Open Knowledge Foundation: What is open data? (2021). https://okfn.org/en/

  48. Safarov, I., Meijer, A., Grimmelikhuijsen, S.: Utilization of open government data: a systematic literature review of types, conditions, effects and users. Inf. Polity 22(1), 1–24 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Scott, A.: What is ‘open data’ and why should we care? – The ODI (2020). https://theodi.org/article/what-is-open-data-and-why-should-we-care/

  50. Serwadda, D., Ndebele, P., Grabowski, M.K., Bajunirwe, F., Wanyenze, R.K.: Open data sharing and the global south-who benefits? Science 359(6376), 642–643 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. SmartFlanders: The flemish open data charter of 20 principles (2018). https://assets.vlaanderen.be/image/upload/v1669666925/open_data_charter_eng_dahoam.pdf

  52. Sunlight Foundation: Ten principles for opening up government information (2014). https://sunlightfoundation.com/policy/documents/ten-open-data-principles/

  53. Susha, I., Grönlund, Å., Janssen, M.: Organizational measures to stimulate user engagement with open data. Transforming Gov. People Process Policy 9(2), 181–206 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  54. Tauberer, J.: Open Government Data: The Book (2014). https://opengovdata.io/

  55. Tauberer, J., Lessig, L.: The 8 principles of open government data (2007). https://opengovdata.org/

  56. The European Data Portal: The benefits and value of open data (2020). https://data.europa.eu/en/dataeuropa-academy/what-open-data

  57. The Federal Enterprise Data Resources: Principles (2024). https://resources.data.gov/PoD/principles/

  58. Ubaldi, B.: Open government data - towards empirical analysis of open government data initiatives (2013). https://doi.org/10.1787/5k46bj4f03s7-en. https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/governance/open-government-data_5k46bj4f03s7-en

  59. Van Schalkwyk, F., Willmers, M., McNaughton, M.: Viscous open data: the roles of intermediaries in an open data ecosystem. Inf. Technol. Dev. 22, 68–83 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. Wang, F., Zhao, A., Zhao, H., Chu, J.: Building a holistic taxonomy model for OGD-related risks: based on a lifecycle analysis. Data Intell. 1(4), 309–332 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  61. Zuiderwijk, A., Janssen, M.: The negative effects of open government data-investigating the dark side of open data. In: Puron-Cid, G., Robertson, S., Zhang, J., Gil-Garcia, J.R. (eds.) Proceedings of the 15th Annual International Conference on Digital Government Research, pp. 147–152. Association for Computing Machinery (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  62. Zuiderwijk, A., Janssen, M., Davis, C.: Innovation with open data: essential elements of open data ecosystems. Inf. Polity 19(1, 2), 17–33 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was funded and supported by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Librarianship, Information, Education and IT, Swedish School of Library and Information Science, University of Borås, 503 32, Borås, Sweden

    Jonathan Crusoe

  2. Swedish Center for Digital Innovation, Department of Applied IT, University of Gothenburg, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden

    Jonathan Crusoe

Authors
  1. Jonathan Crusoe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jonathan Crusoe .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands

    Marijn Janssen

  2. KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

    Joep Crompvoets

  3. University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA

    J. Ramon Gil-Garcia

  4. Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK

    Habin Lee

  5. Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden

    Ida Lindgren

  6. Institute of Computer Science, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia

    Anastasija Nikiforova

  7. Krems Center for E-Governance, University for Continuing Education, Krems, Niederösterreich, Austria

    Gabriela Viale Pereira

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2024 IFIP International Federation for Information Processing

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Crusoe, J. (2024). The Needs, Wants, and Wishes of the Open Government Data Idea – The Emergence of a New Understanding. In: Janssen, M., et al. Electronic Government. EGOV 2024. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 14841. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-70274-7_21

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-70274-7_21

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-70273-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-70274-7

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Societies and partnerships

Search

Navigation