Open government data (OGD) in six Middle East countries: an evaluation of the national open data portals
| Pages | 310-322 |
| Date | 11 June 2018 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/DPRG-10-2017-0055 |
| Published date | 11 June 2018 |
| Author | Stuti Saxena |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Information management & governance,Information policy |
Open government data (OGD) in six
Middle East countries: an evaluation
of the national open data portals
Stuti Saxena
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this study is to do provide an overview of open government data (OGD)
frameworks in six Middle East countries (Cyprus, Turkey, Egypt, Iran, Lebanon and Jordan) and to
underscorethe barriers in using the open datasets.
Design/methodology/approach –OGD framework offered by Sieberand Johnson (2015) is deployed
for the present purpose. Primarily,documentary analysis is being used for substantiating the study and
the nationalportals of the six countries are investigated.
Findings –In line with the frameworkschosen for this study, OGD initiatives across the six Middle East
countries are at an emerging phase. All the six countries qualify for the ‘‘data over the wall’’ model as
advanced by Sieber and Johnson (2015), wherein there are basic provisions of ‘‘data aggregation.’’
Furthermore, the data are incompleteand outdated, which serve as barriers in using these data sets for
analysis and interpretation. Therefore, there are a number of barriers in using the open data sets.
However, there are manyprospects for using these data sets which would improve public accountability
and transparencyin the long run.
Practical implications –Besides helping in improved decision-making, the governments may be in a
better positionto appreciate the relevance of adopting a robust OGD initiative in facilitatingthe economic
growthof their country.
Social implications –This study is relevantfor ensuring that citizen engagement is promotedand there
is co-creationof public value.
Originality/value –Hitherto, OGD has been investigated in the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
countries (Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) but the other
countries in Middle East have notbeen investigated. This study selects six countries outside the GCC
ambit and investigatesthe nature and scope of OGD initiatives in each of them apart fromunderlining the
barriersin using the open data sets.
Keywords Middle east, Open government data
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
Open government data (OGD) is defined as the “non-privacy-restricted and non-
confidential data which is produced with public money and is made available without any
restrictions on its usage or distribution” (Janssen et al.,2012, p. 258). Of late, governments
have been laying emphasis upon opening the data which were hitherto stored in silos.
Governments engage in OGD initiatives to tackle complex socio-economic problems
besides generating economic benefits (Zuiderwijk and Janssen, 2013). Furthermore, users
are benefitted by the analysis of the data sets (Surowiecki, 2004). It has been underscored
that OGD initiatives help in public policy development as well. Open data sets are sourced
from different domains, such as traffic, weather, tourism, business, education, safety, etc.
OGD initiative helps in improving citizen engagement as well as the relationship between
Stuti Saxena is a Research
Scholar at Central
University of Haryana,
Mahendragarh, India.
Received 21 October 2017
Revised 29 March 2018
Accepted 11 April 2018
PAGE 310 jDIGITAL POLICY, REGULATION AND GOVERNANCE jVOL. 20 NO. 4 2018, pp. 310-322, ©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2398-5038 DOI 10.1108/DPRG-10-2017-0055
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