Explaining the resistance of data providers to open government data

Abstract

Purpose

This paper explains the formation of government resistance to open data based on the cognition of stakeholders in Chinese context.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting grounded theory, this study interviewed 22 stakeholders to collect data. Through continuous coding, this study identified the main categories and then constructed theoretical models.

Findings

This study identified and explained five main categories that relate to resistance: practice, perception, organizational culture, motivation and resistance strategies. Then, a framework was developed that conceptualizes the government' resistance to open data. Based on the division of the forms of motivation, there are three paths through which government departments resist open data, namely, avoiding disadvantages to the organization, being unwilling to increase the workload and being unwilling to take the initiative.

Originality/value

This paper reveals the internal logic of government departments' resistance to open data and provides a process explanation beyond causality. It also provides a reference for other countries in the same preliminary stage as China with respect to open data implementation.

Citation

Li, S. and Chen, Y. (2021), "Explaining the resistance of data providers to open government data", Aslib Journal of Information Management, Vol. 73 No. 4, pp. 560-577. https://doi.org/10.1108/AJIM-09-2020-0270