The Role of Actors in the Open Government Data Ecosystem and Their Contribution to Value Creation: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis Review with In Vivo Coding

Abstract

Research on Open Government Data (OGD) highlights the importance of open data to enhance transparency, innovation, and community development. Government data is now transformed into more practical and useful data, which has great potential to improve government performance, public services, and drive economic and social growth. This study explores the complex interactions between stakeholders in the OGD ecosystem from different countries, to create value. A systematic literature review using qualitative meta-synthesis methods was conducted using Scopus and Web of Science databases, with 18 studies meeting stringent analysis criteria. The application of In Vivo coding algorithms with the help of NVivo 12 application in data collection and analysis allowed the identification of key patterns and themes, especially related to value creation in OGD. Two key themes identified were the Data Value Network and the Value Chain Model. The Data Value Network encompasses the process of data discovery, curation, interpretation, distribution, and exploitation, while the Value Chain Model connects value-adding activities from government data providers to end users. Key findings suggest that data quality and stakeholder collaboration are critical in maximizing the benefits of OGD. The study emphasizes the importance of best data sharing practices, strong collaboration among stakeholders, and governance frameworks that support sustainable and ethical use of open data. This research contributes significantly to understanding the dynamic roles of actors in the OGD ecosystem and their impact on value creation, ultimately highlighting the transformative potential of open data.