Utilizing Open Data: A Primer for Public Procurement Research

Abstract

Numerous open data initiatives by governments around the globe ostensibly promote better transparency and accountability, yet questions have arisen regarding the immediate usability of these datasets. This research reports on an attempt to utilize purchasing data published under the open data program of the European Union, which provides all expenditure data over certain thresholds from 33 European countries. However, the data and its informational quality as it has been published in CSV format leaves holes in trying to close that accountability gap across countries. This case study offers a recursive model which clearly conceptualizes the quality of data and information, and the research serves as a functional primer warning for users of the experientially-based issues of utilizing this and other open data. Key findings illuminate potential issues when working with open data and provide eight specific caveats on how to navigate the open data initiatives by governments.

Keywords

• open data
• data quality
• information quality
• public procurement
• purchasing
• transparency
• accountability
• corruption prevention
• european directives
• ted