Towards value-creating and sustainable open data ecosystems: A comparative case study and a research agenda

Abstract

Current open data systems lag behind in their promised value creation and sustainability. The objective of the current study is twofold: 1) to investigate whether existing open data systems meet the requirements of open data ecosystems, and 2) to develop a research agenda that discusses the gaps between current open data systems on the one hand and participatory, value-creating, sustainable open data ecosystems on the other hand. The literature reveals that the main characteristics of value-creating, sustainable open data ecosystems are user-drivenness, inclusiveness, circularity, and skill-based. Our comparative case study of five open data systems in various application domains and countries highlighted that none of these systems are real open data ecosystems: they often do not balance open data supply and demand, exclude specific user groups and domains, are linear, and lack skill-training. We elaborate on a research agenda that discusses how research should address the challenge of making open data ecosystems more value-generating and sustainable.

Serious Games for Building Data Capacity*

“…Within the open data ecosystem, non-expert users (such as citizens and public administrators) have an important role in that they are aware of the issues and needs of their communities, which can be addressed using open data [4]. On the other hand, expert users, such as civic hackers and developers, own the skills required to implement practical solutions using open data [4].…”

“…Within the open data ecosystem, non-expert users (such as citizens and public administrators) have an important role in that they are aware of the issues and needs of their communities, which can be addressed using open data [4]. On the other hand, expert users, such as civic hackers and developers, own the skills required to implement practical solutions using open data [4]. Mulder, Jaskiewicz, and Morelli [5] explored recent paradigm shifts that have the potential to seed change within societal systems and look specifically at how open data can become a new type of "commons'" that can support digital citizenship.…”

A Game-based Approach for Open Data in Education: A Systematic Mapping Review

“…In recent years, the field of Open Data research has expanded into a growing number of research domains, such as policy studies and education (Conradie & Choenni, 2014;Sieber & Johnson, 2015). Open Data strategies are now seen in several different contexts, such as local governments making openly available datasets on social and technical aspects of the city and therefore permitting citizens to freely use, modify and share them (van Loenen et al, 2021). Although Open Data might enhance transparency and accountability in fair and innovative societies, current systems are focused on the data release process, lacking awareness on how Open Data is useful and valuable to users (Bachtiar et al, 2020;Hellberg & Hedström, 2015;van Loenen et al, 2021;Veljković et al, 2014).…”

“…Open Data strategies are now seen in several different contexts, such as local governments making openly available datasets on social and technical aspects of the city and therefore permitting citizens to freely use, modify and share them (van Loenen et al, 2021). Although Open Data might enhance transparency and accountability in fair and innovative societies, current systems are focused on the data release process, lacking awareness on how Open Data is useful and valuable to users (Bachtiar et al, 2020;Hellberg & Hedström, 2015;van Loenen et al, 2021;Veljković et al, 2014). In order to counter current challenges, there is an increasing call for strengthening a user-centred perspective connected to a broader public engagement (Conradie & Choenni, 2014;Kassen, 2013;Prieto & Rodriguez, 2012;Robinson et al, 2009;Shadbolt et al, 2012;van Loenen et al, 2021).…”

“…Although Open Data might enhance transparency and accountability in fair and innovative societies, current systems are focused on the data release process, lacking awareness on how Open Data is useful and valuable to users (Bachtiar et al, 2020;Hellberg & Hedström, 2015;van Loenen et al, 2021;Veljković et al, 2014). In order to counter current challenges, there is an increasing call for strengthening a user-centred perspective connected to a broader public engagement (Conradie & Choenni, 2014;Kassen, 2013;Prieto & Rodriguez, 2012;Robinson et al, 2009;Shadbolt et al, 2012;van Loenen et al, 2021). However, the integration of several interest groups implies the development of new Open Data approaches and skill sets.…”