Open Data Policy Effectiveness : A qualitative study about the factors that determine the effectiveness of open data policies in Dutch municipalities

Open data is considered beneficial for citizens, businesses, and public administrations. It increases community engagement, enhances innovation, reduces costs, increases transparency, and reduces corruption. Despite the widespread adoption of open data policies, challenges arise in achieving genuinely open and high-quality datasets. Specifically, local governments demonstrate underdeveloped open data practices, which frequently hinder the effectiveness of the policy. Therefore, this thesis aims to analyze which factors determine the effectiveness of open data policies in Dutch municipalities, posing the research question: “Which factors determine the effectiveness of open data policies in a municipality?” The first step involves a literature review that delves into three key concepts: open government, open data, and policy effectiveness. To address the research questions, the researcher analyzes six case studies using a holistic case study approach. This method provides insights into how these municipalities implemented their open data policies both on paper and in practice, as well as identifying key factors they deem important for an effective open data policy. The findings of this research are intended to help policymakers and citizens understand what is needed for an effective open data policy.