Drivers and barriers to re-use Open Government Data (OGD): a case study of open data initiative in Philippines
| Date | 11 June 2018 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/DPRG-08-2017-0045 |
| Pages | 358-368 |
| Published date | 11 June 2018 |
| Author | Stuti Saxena |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Information management & governance,Information policy |
Drivers and barriers to re-use Open
Government Data (OGD): a case study
of open data initiative in Philippines
Stuti Saxena
Abstract
Purpose –Given that the Open Government Data (OGD) initiatives of any country are founded on
principles of transparency and accountability, it is important that the data sets permit a user-friendly
interface forthe data sets to be re-used. This paper aims to underline the majordrivers and barriers to re-
use the data setsin the context of the Philippines.
Design/methodology/approach –In line with the model proposed by Sieberand Johnson (2015), the
paper invoked an investigation of the national OGD portal of the Philippines following a documentary
analysisresearch approach.
Findings –The OGD portal of the Philippines permits data search and sharing via social media. Data
sets are available in user-friendlyformats with a detailed description of the data set itself in the form of
metadata. At the sametime, the OGD portal of the Philippines has many barriersto re-use. Data sets are
not current, and no attempts have been made at updating the records. While the provision of data
mapping is provided, the sameis not effective as of now. Conducting statistical analysis is not possible
online and some of the links are not active. Finally, users’ suggestions are acknowledged, but the
contributionof users toward the existing data sets is not permittedas of now.
Research limitations/implications –Given that only a single country’s OGD initiative has been
investigated in the study, further research is warranted to undertake a comparative analysis of OGD
institutionalizationacross differentcountries.
Practical implications –Government authoritiesare encouraged to be more proactive in furtheringthe
OGD initiative. Policymakers and practitioners may appreciate the underlying barriers in re-using the
data setsand seek to address these concerns.
Originality/value –The OGD initiative of the Philippines has not been investigated so far despite the
rising tide of the OGDinitiatives across the globe. Given that mostof the research on OGD is focused in
developed countries, the presentstudy seeks to contribute toward the extant literature by investigating
the OGD portal of thePhilippines and underlining the majordrivers and barriers in re-using the data sets
availablevia the portal.
Keywords Philippines, Open Government Data
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
Governments across the globe have been undertaking the Open Government Data (ODG)
initiative to further citizen engagement, transparency and public accountability (Janssen
et al.,2017
;Susha et al.,2014;Zuiderwijk et al.,2014). OGD helps in bringing about
efficiency in administration. Concomitantly, there is a need for deriving public value out of
the open data sets by re-using them (Downie, 2007;Sataslaatten, 2014;Tough, 2011).
Primarily, OGD may refer to variegated data sets spanning across diverse socio-economic
or political sectors like health, economy, transportation, education, technology, climate, etc.
(Davies, 2012). Also, there are many stakeholders (like journalists, citizens, software
Stuti Saxena is Research
Scholar in the Department
of Political Science at the
Central University of
Haryana, Mahendragarh,
India.
PAGE 358 jDIGITAL POLICY, REGULATION AND GOVERNANCE jVOL. 20 NO. 4 2018, pp. 358-368, ©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2398-5038 DOI 10.1108/DPRG-08-2017-0045
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