Towards a model for facilitating and enabling co-creation using open government data

Abstract

In recent years there have been initiatives in many countries which seek to encourage and facilitate co-creation using Open Government Data (OGD). This article describes a research project whose objectives were to investigate the factors that contribute to creating a vibrant co-creation ecosystem built around the use of OGD and to build a model which participants can use as a framework for aiding in co-creation processes. To develop this model multiple case studies are used to investigate the nature of co-creation using OGD in the greater Dublin area. The different dimensions of OGD, as perceived by various stakeholders in co-creation projects, are explored with a view to establishing what facilitates co-creation activities. The stakeholders include the OGD publishers (in this case the four local authorities in the greater Dublin area) and various communities and community groups such as academics, volunteers, voluntary organizations as well as a number of government agencies and commercial organizations. Adopting a modified version of Activity Theory (AT) as a framework, the research uses a wide range of data sources including documents, analysis of web sites, participant observation and semi-structured interviews. Analysis of the latter is carried out using thematic analysis. From these, a model for encouraging, fostering and enabling the development of co-creation projects in local communities is proposed.