Factors Influencing the Effectiveness of Open Government Data Platforms: A Data Analysis of 61 Prefecture-Level Cities in China

Abstract

Information disclosure, participatory governance, and collaborative innovation are open government data’s (OGD) main goals. Understanding the preconditions that enable the efficient and effective implementation of OGD initiatives is essential for achieving their overall objectives. Therefore, determining its influencing factors helps improve platform quality, prevent misunderstanding, and realize the purpose of OGD. Based on the literature, this study established a user-oriented conceptual model of OGD into which technology acceptance theory was integrated. This model constructed a data analysis model with the number of downloads of OGD platform data as the response variable and the explanatory variables comprising OGD quality score, linked data density, time to inception, and five others. Sixty-one cases of OGD platforms in Chinese prefecture-level cities were analyzed. The results indicated that the effectiveness of OGD was positively correlated with OGD quality score, time to inception, and the number of employees in the case cities. Network density and average disposable income of citizens had non-significant impacts on effectiveness. Strategies for improving the effectiveness of OGD platforms in China were discussed.