13th European Conference on eGovernment – ECEG 2013 1 | Seite 636

Wolfgang Palka et al.

In order to inhibit an information overload, the supplier of an OGD portal has to decide whether he provides different views for the customer( Ullman & Widom 1997).

Table 4: Classification scheme for OGD portals – operational dimension( consumer perspective)

Information search. In which manner can the consumer search for data and information on the OGD portal? In addition to the different views for the customer, customers have to have the possibility to search for data and information on their own. Based on our case study results we identified three instances for information search: full text search, full text search and filtering, and filtering.

Feedback. How can the consumer give feedback? To enhance the supply of OGD in a constant manner and to raise their quality, customers have to have the possibility for feedback. The provision of the OGD and the operation of the OGD portals should be attended by a two‐way communication between supplier and customer. Our results show that two types for feedback exist: general or in relation to data and information.

Advertising. How can consumers advertise for the supply on OGD portals? In order to foster the diffusion of OGD, the OGD portal should offer the possibility for advertising. This is similar to advertising of other products. The case evidence disclosed the following four form of advertising that are suitable for OGD: social networks, messages, reutilization, integration and marketing for applications( e. g., at Data. gov and Data. gov. uk).

Types of participation and collaboration. Which forms of participation / collaboration does the OGD portal enable for its consumers? According to Emmer and Vowe( 2004) three forms of individual and political communication exist: receptive( e. g., information), participative( e. g., comments, reutilization, petititions) and interpersonal communication( e. g., contests, direct contact). These forms vary between simple information sharing with stakeholders to direct contacting through the government.

Identification of new requirements. How can consumers submit new requirements to the operator of an OGD portal? Subsequently to the initial requirements analysis( i. e., strategic dimension), new requirements should be collected from the consumers in order to advance the opening of the state. The state as the supplier of OGD should continuously collect incoming improvement requests and suggestions by the consumers. Rupp and Schüpferling( 2009) recommend the following techniques, which can also be applied for identifying the consumer requirements for OGD portals: data inquiries, contests, idea portals and feedback templates.

4. Implications

The proposed classification schemes have implications for research and practice. For practitioners, they provide a structured overview of the characteristics which have to be considered when implementing and operating an OGD portal. In addition, the schemes can aid practitioners in making decisions as well as in designing the portal elements. The classification schemes offer information on the necessary strategic and operative dimensions of an OGD portal. Since citizens and companies worldwide demand more transparency and participation possibilities from their governments( McDermott 2010), more time and consideration needs to be invested into the design and organization of OGD portals. The proposed classification schemes provide a concrete structure, which is also adaptable to specific situations and political contexts, for an OGD portal implementation and provision.

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