Prospects of open government data (OGD) in facilitating the economic diversification of GCC region

A framework of open government data (OGD) e-service quality dimensions with future research agenda

Purpose

This research paper aims to present a framework of open government data (OGD) relating to e-service quality dimensions. In addition, it provides a research agenda for the e-service delivery of OGD.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review pertaining to e-service quality with special reference to e-government was delivered to deduce the key dimensions of e-service quality for OGD.

Findings

Five e-service quality dimensions of OGD are identified in the study; website design, fulfilment, service provision to the user while interfacing with the OGD Web portal, service provision to the user during and after the value-creation and innovation period and security/privacy. To further OGD re-use for value creation and innovation, it is important that the e-service quality dimensions are built into all OGD programmes by public authorities.

Originality/value

Hitherto, extant research has focused on the data quality dimensions of OGD, but the dimensions linked with e-service have not been explored. This study seeks to fill this gap and, in addition, suggests further research requirements in this field.

Whither the need and motivation for open government data (OGD) promotional strategies?

Purpose

It has been underscored in the extant literature that open government data (OGD) has not percolated across the length and breadth of any country, let alone the awareness of the OGD among the stakeholders themselves. In this vein, this study aims to underline the reasons as to why OGD promotion merits consideration apart from underlining the manner in which OGD promotion may be done.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on literature review on the OGD conceptual models and government promotion initiatives, the study further sketches an OGD model across four quadrants: beginners, followers, fast-trackers, trend-setters on the basis of the progress made in their OGD initiatives besides underlining the four elements of OGD promotional strategy as media, arena, substance and stakeholders. Also, the study explores the drivers and barriers to OGD promotional initiatives.

Findings

The study shows that across the OGD quadrants, the promotional strategies vary in terms of the 4As (acceptability, affordability, accessibility and awareness), and the same get reflected across MASS. Further, the drivers for OGD promotional initiatives are building citizens’ trust and forging stakeholder participation and collaboration in administration, thereby furthering transparency in administration, meeting the needs of the stakeholders, providing the desired impetus to value creation and innovation by the stakeholders and the need for furthering economic growth. Likewise, the barriers toward OGD promotion are linked with the lack of political will, lack of organizational leadership, mission and vision, lack of involvement of government departments, lack of budget and lack of requisite infrastructure for promotion.

Originality/value

Hitherto, OGD research has underscored the need to make the users aware of the potential of OGD initiative; however, no study has been undertaken to understand the manner in which the awareness may be driven among the users – the present study is a first step in this direction.

Metadata quality matters in open government data (OGD) evaluation! An empirical investigation of OGD portals of the GCC constituents

Purpose

The study seeks to investigate the quality of metadata associated with the open government data (OGD) portals of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) constituents – Bahrain (BH), Kuwait (KW), Oman (OM), Qatar (QA), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative framework, supported by extant literature, is adopted to assess the metadata quality of the six OGD portals of the GCC constituents.

Findings

Among the six GCC countries, QA has the most advanced OGD metadata quality followed by KSA, UAE, OM, BH and KW. Furthermore, the OGD metadata quality (MQ) of UAE and OM stand at the same pedestal whereas BH and KW OGD portals are lagging behind.

Originality/value

While the OGD quality has been investigated in extant literature, the MQ of the OGD portals for the GCC countries has not been investigated so far – the present study seeks to plug this gap.

Application of Open Government Data to Sustainable City Indicators: A Megacity Case Study

The access to open government data has been a relevant topic for societies around the world, especially over the last ten years. This paper aims to analyze the indicators of the São Paulo City Observatory (ObservaSampa), confronting them with the ISO 3712x series (sustainable, smart, and resilient cities) standards, to assess if the former meet both open data principles and the ISO prescriptions. Bibliometric analysis, comparative analysis, cluster analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA) were the methods used in this research. From the comparative analysis, 18 indicators were identified as conforming and 41 as partially conforming. Thus, 20% of the ObservaSampa indicators adhere to the ISO standards. The PCA applied to the conforming indicators shows component 1 is related to socioeconomic dimensions, while component 2 refers to social policy, with both appraisals confirmed by cluster analysis. Measuring and presenting city data in compliance with indicator standards is relevant because they open the possibility of comparing different cities. However, there is still a lack of consensus on a common set of indicators to be accommodated within the current ISO standards system.

Invoking embeddedness and cybernetic theories for evaluating the national open government data portal of India

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an evaluation of the national Open Government Data (OGD) portal of India (www.data.gov.in) and underline the significance of maintaining the quality of the data sets published online.

Design/methodology/approach

The research approach bases itself on the adapted version of embeddedness theory and cybernetic model apart from the data sets–usability framework proposed in recent literature (Machova et al., 2018).

Findings

Findings from this study indicate that OGD initiative needs to be embedded in the social fabric of the country to ensure that the data sets are being reused by a myriad set of stakeholders for deriving social and economic value. Likewise, the linkages between the stakeholders (for instance, government, citizens, non-governmental bodies, private sector, etc.) should be fortified to enable the reuse of the data sets in an appropriate manner.

Originality/value

Maintenance of quality of the data sets holds paramount importance. Implicitly, efforts should be made on the part of all the stakeholders concerned that the data sets be qualitatively and quantitatively adequate. This paper concludes with limitations and further research pointers.

Re-defining open government data standards for smart cities’ websites: a case study of selected cities

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the select Smart Cities of Czech and Indian counterparts and assess the extent to which open government data (OGD) standards are being adhered to using select indicators.

Design/methodology/approach

This study integrates the benchmarking frameworks provided in literature on OGD and apply them to evaluate the OGD standards of the Smart Cities’ websites.

Findings

Whereas the Czech Smart Cities are relatively more advanced in their OGD initiatives, the Indian counterpart is far lagging behind in their endeavors.

Originality/value

While there are many studies on OGD and Smart Cities, there has been no study which seeks to appreciate if the OGD initiatives are being adhered to by the Smart Cities.

Key Sectors in the Economy of Saudi Arabia

This study shows the key sector for the economy of Saudi Arabia based on input-output model analyses. They derived the analyses from the economy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) using 35 economic sectors. We found that four leading sectors exceeded the values of the linkage coefficients with a value of 1, represented by both chemicals and pharmaceutical products, namely, manufacturing basic metals (S13), transportation and storage (S24), and other business sector services (S31). According to the unbalanced growth theory, more attention is paid to these sectors that are the primary engine for the rest of the sectors and their growth. The results obtained are beneficial for success of the economic policy of Saudi Arabia. By observing the different influences, it is possible to identify the policies expected to have more significant indirect impacts on other sectors in Saudi Arabia and are likely to develop a prudent economic policy. Given the economic dependence on oil, it is also essential to be acquainted with the different sectors that are probable to have an overall effect on the economy for strategic and operationally effective analysis that can help.

Open Data in Israel, Georgia and Uzbekistan: nature and scope

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the nature and scope of Open Data in Israel, Georgia and Uzbekistan.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing upon the two Open Data models proposed by Kalampokis et al. (2011) and Sieber and Johnson (2015), this paper seeks to underline the nature and scope of Open Data in Israel, Georgia and Uzbekistan.

Findings

Open Data across the three countries (Israel, Georgia and Uzbekistan) is at an early stage of maturity. There is more of data aggregation and this poses a number of challenges as far as access to and usage of these data sets are concerned. Furthermore, in terms of the model proposed by Sieber and Johnson (2015), there is “data over the wall” in these countries.

Practical implications

The study holds practical relevance in the sense that policymakers are encouraged to further the Open Data initiatives in their respective countries. Furthermore, government departments are encouraged to release data sets for use by the public and to generate public value.

Originality/value

Whereas extant literature on Open Data veers around economies in the West, academic research in other countries is visibly lacking. Also, no study has been undertaken so far wherein Open Data initiatives in Israel, Georgia and Uzbekistan have been undertaken till date. The present study seeks to plug this gap in a major way.