Examining the Perception and Use of Open Crime Data from a Citizen Perspective

Abstract

The disclosure of public information is an important issue in government practice. Freely used and accessible data produced by government bodies presumably encourages citizen participation and makes government more transparent and accountable. However, there is limited evidence that citizens would take advantage of open data and on what drives that usagee. This study expands the technology acceptance model to take into account citizens’ perception of open data’s potential societal risks as well as potential advantages to society and the advantages of delivering positive social outcomes. The analysis of results fromof an online survey conducted in Taiwan in May 2017 confirms that a majority of respondents agree that open crime data has advantages compared with aggregate-level statistical data, while risks involved in the adoption of open crime data is are indeed a concern for a majority of respondents. Both help to explain citizens’ intentions of using to use open crime data. Citizens’ perception of usefulness is positively related to their intention to use open data. However, perceived ease of use of open crime data is not significantly associated with the intention to use open crime data directly. Future research should consider other ways to reach citizens who do not use the internet regularly. A better understanding of citizens’ responses to open data helps government design continued improvements to open data.

The Shape of Public Governance in Taiwan: Penetrating the Boundary between Public Management and Public Policy

“…a. Summary: Since the national government released crime data, no research has been conducted to examine the perception and use of that data by citizens, until this article by Hung and Hsieh (2019). It is important to understand citizens' perception of open crime data and how that perception influences their intention to use that data.…”

“…b. Implications for public governance: Hung and Hsieh (2019) analyze the factors influencing the intention to use open crime data. Citizens are found to be more likely to use open crime data when they perceive it to be useful, easy to use, and conferring some advantage to them.…”

“…a. Summary: Since the national government released crime data, no research has been conducted to examine the perception and use of that data by citizens, until this article by Hung and Hsieh (2019) b. Implications for public governance: Fu and Chang (2019) argue that instead of adopting intangible new concepts, most agencies employ a simple tangible way to develop new services.…”