Promoting Government Impacts through Open Data: Key Influential Factors

Abstract

Since 2009, an increasing number of countries have initiated open data initiatives. Open government data (OGD) are expected to improve government transparency, promote innovation in public services and business, boost economic development and improve quality of life. In order to achieve these values, just making the data available is not enough; data has to be actually used by key stakeholders. Various factors related to governments, users, communities and open data properties interact with each other and affect the utilization and the generation of different types of OGD impacts. However, limited research to date has investigated how different factors affect OGD impact generation. Focusing on OGD impact on government efficiency and effectiveness, transparency and accountability, this study explores what are the most significant factors that affect the generation of OGD government impact. Using empirical evidence from 106 countries, our regression analysis suggests that well-designed OGD related policies and regulations, well-resourced and supportive government actions and high quality of OGD related to accountability and innovation are key elements in the design of OGD programs that helps improve government transparency, accountability, efficiency and effectiveness in government services.