A data warehouse hybrid design framework using domain ontologies for local good-governance assessment

Abstract

Purpose Most local governance assessment tools are entirely or partially based on stakeholders’ surveys, focus groups and benchmarks of different local governments in the world. These tools remain a subjective way of local governance evaluation. To measure the performance of local good-governance using an unbiased assessment technique, the authors have developed a framework to help automate the design process of a data warehouse (DW), which provides local and central decision-makers with factual, measurable and accurate local government data to help assess the performance of local government. The purpose of this paper is to propose the extraction of the DW schema based on a mixed approach that adopts both i* framework for requirements-based representation and domain ontologies for data source representation, to extract the multi-dimensional (MD) elements. The data was collected from various sources and information systems (ISs) deployed in different municipalities. Design/methodology/approach The authors present a framework for the design and implementation of a DW for local good-governance assessment. The extraction of facts and dimensions of the DW’s MD schema is done using a hybrid approach, where the extraction of requirement-based DW schema and source-based DW schema are done in parallel followed by the reconciliation of the obtained schemas to obtain the good-governance assessment DW final design. Findings The authors developed a novel framework to design and implement a DW for local good-governance assessment. The framework enables the extraction of the DW MD schema by using domain ontologies to help capture semantic artifacts and minimize misconceptions and misunderstandings between different stakeholders. The introduction and use of domain ontologies during the design process serves the generalization and automation purpose of the framework. Research limitations/implications The presently conducted research faced two main limitations as follows: the first is the full automation of the design process of the DW and the second, and most important, is access to local government data as it remains limited because of the lack of digitally stored data in municipalities, especially in developing countries in addition to the difficulty of accessing the data because of regulatory aspects and bureaucracy. Practical implications The local government environment is among the public administrations most subject to change-adverse cultures and where the authors can face high levels of resistance and significant difficulties during the implementation of decision support systems, despite the commitment/engagement of decision-makers. Access to data sources stored by different ISs might be challenging. While approaching the municipalities for data access, it was done in the framework of a research project within one of the most notorious universities in the country, which gave more credibility and trust to the research team. There is also a need for further testing of the framework to reveal its scalability and performance characteristics. Originality/value Compared to other local government assessment ad hoc tools that are partially or entirely based on subjectively collected data, the framework provides a basis for automated design of a comprehensive local government DW using e-government domain ontologies for data source representation coupled with the goal, rationale and business process diagrams for user requirements representations, thus enabling the extraction of the final DW MD schema.

Perceived effectiveness of e-governance as an underlying mechanism between good governance and public trust: a case of Indonesia

“…Public trust in government is considered the key to success for the democratic system, as it is a vital imperative for the sustainability and legitimacy of any democratic system (Bouckaert, 2012). Therefore, based on the variable nature and diverse decision-making process, governments consider the majority interests while making important decisions (Chakiri et al, 2020;Wasike, 2017). For that reason, governments with the greater trust of the public can always work more effectively and smoothly than those with lower trust levels (Sawatsuk et al, 2018).…”

Determinants of Overall Public Trust in Local Government: Meditation of Government Response to COVID-19 in Indonesian Context

“…Also, they want their government to be responsible for their actions to make sure that the needs of the citizens are fulfilled in their best interest (Beshi and Kaur, 2020). Therefore, due to the diverse functions and nature of the local governments (Chakiri et al , 2020), while making decisions, the interests of the majority lie in the main concern of the state in a democratic foundation (Grimmelikhuijsen et al , 2013). For that reason, the trust of the public in the government is considered to be an imperative part of the democratic system.…”

Editorial

“…This is the focus of the next paper included in this collection. By reference to the case of Marocco, the authors (Chakiri et al, 2020) argue the existing approaches to measure good governance at the local level of government have a bias-component inherent in them. To bypass that challenge, the authors devise an unbiased assessment technique consistent with the development of a framework that automates the design process of a data warehouse.…”