Open Data Annotated Bibliography

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The literature on open data suggest that it improves efficiency and coverage of public service by facilitating the effective delivery of critical social services through the strengthening of systems to end users, for example linking the patients to health care facilities in both developed and developing countries such as the United States and Mexico (World Bank Group, 2015).

Increasing transparency, accountability and citizens’ participation are important to the health of democracies. In this area open data can be of tremendous assistance, as it plays a pivotal role in governance by uncovering corruption and mismanagement on the part of public officials. The OECD (n.d.) buttressed the argument that open data increase transparency and accountability …show more content…

As such, it fosters new methods to influence opinion and avenues for political mobilization. It can also be argued that it facilitates the participation in democratic dialogue, eliminating the challenges associated with unreleased information. The OECD (n.d.) reinforces the argument that open data facilitate increased participation and empowerment of the relationship between government and citizens within the democratic process. It stresses the noted benefits of open data, in that it offers a platform to improve social participation and co-responsibility, which extends to areas of the judiciary and law enforcement, public procurement, budgetary transparency and public …show more content…

However, the Danida Study (2012) points out that there is much reservations as to the effectiveness of open data in effecting change in the motivation structure within government and its institutions. It stands unknown whether ministries, departments and agencies will voluntarily bring up-to-date their open data portals on a consistent basis in the future.
Additionally, the role that open data play in accountability and transparency has been discussed above. However, increasing citizens’ accountability and citizen auditing by way of ICTs is still in its infancy in many developing states such as in Sub Saharan Africa. This is evidenced by a number of noted challenges; inactive civil society, relatively weak non-government organizations, limited capacity and understanding in the design of programmes at the

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