Reconfiguring open data for open innovation

Abstract

This thesis explores the praxis of open data in a public sector open innovation environment. It seeks to understand how the processes of the use of open data are operating in this context and locates the conditions that may cause it to diverge from theory. To do this, it first undertakes a literature review on open data and open innovation, which brings both of these ‘open’ practices together and establishes a model of open data for open innovation. Taking a positive, rather than normative approach, the thesis develops a case study of four mid-sized cities engaging in open innovation to create solutions to municipal problems over a period of three years. The data sources for this case study are the documents created in and for the open innovation projects, and a group interview of representatives of the cities. Via this case study, the thesis makes the key assertion that the open data ideal is operating under both regulatory and resource constraint, which obstruct, rather than support, the attempt to capture value from data. An integrative literature review is used to investigate how (other) forms of data sharing can inform the development of a model that reflects praxis. By comparing key aspects of the open data model with insights derived from data sharing, this thesis demonstrates how the open data model can be reconstructed to ensure legal and associated compliance that will protect and promote innovation with data. The outcome of this research is a new lens with which to view the use of open data. Furthermore, it offers concrete suggestions for enacting changes to open data processes that will enable greater productivity of data-driven innovation. As such, it has vital policy and practice implications for open data and data sharing.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Johanna Catherine Walker: orcid.org/0000-0002-5498-8670

ORCID for Leslie Carr: orcid.org/0000-0002-2113-9680

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