Factors Affecting Performance of Open Government Data Initiatives: A Multi-Method Approach Using Sem and FSQCA

Abstract

ABSTRACT Recent interest and development in open government data (OGD) has led government agencies of many countries to introduce OGD initiatives. While the performance of OGD initiatives (POI) in some agencies has been impressive, for others it has been less so. To understand the underlying factors that influence OGD initiatives and drawing on the technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework, we propose a model that incorporates seven context-specific TOE variables. The model was tested with two complementary methods applied to responses in 198 surveys completed by Australian government agency employees. In the first stage, structural equation modeling detected that quality of data, management leadership, skilled operational professionals, political commitment, and external pressure significantly contribute to POI. However, the concept of the TOE framework fundamentally implies a joint effect, suggesting a configuration rather than independent effect of TOE variables. Therefore, in the second stage, we investigated the model using fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), which is new to information systems research and appropriate for configuration analyses. The fsQCA results suggested complex configurational trade-off effects among the variables. Specifically, quality of data and metadata, management leadership, skilled operational professionals, and political commitment were found to drive POI. Inhibitors of POI included lack of skilled staff, lack of technology infrastructure, lack of political commitment, and external pressure. Our findings contribute to the information systems literature and managerial practice by providing strategic insight to improve OGD initiatives.