Engaging governments in open data policies through gaming

Abstract

Open data can be used to increase the transparency and accountability of governments. Yet, opening of data is still limited. One important reason originates from the limited willingness of public servants to open data. The typical risk-averse environment of the public sector has the prevalence of a culture emphasizing the barriers of open data over its advantages. Furthermore, issues like the unclear trade-offs between public values, the fear of violating privacy, lack of knowledge of possible measures to avoid (or reduce) risks results in lower willingness to open data. The main problem addressed by this research is how to change bureaucrat's willingness to open more data by developing and testing a game intervention. The game will be based on causal mechanisms, which are hypothesized cause-effect relationships that can result in higher levels of willingness to open data. An interactive simulated and safe environment (game) will allow civil servants to experience new open-data routines and should result in the behavioral change.