An approach for examining the value of open data solutions

Abstract

There is currently a high interest in the potential of open data - data that is publicly available. However, the use of open data is a complex system where the providers of the data, such as public organizations, are not always formally connected to the organization that aggregates the data and the end users. Since it is a complex system, it is difficult to describe the values of using open data. In this paper, we report on the use of a framework that enables a structured analysis of the functions and values that open data can provide. The framework is based on a set of technical functions in open data and a set of perceived values. The framework has been used in a project that aimed at describing the values of providing open data to immigrants in a Swedish municipality.