Bridging the gap: Unravelling local government data sharing barriers in Estonia and beyond

Abstract

Open Government Data (OGD) plays a crucial role in transforming smart cities into sustainable and intelligent entities by enabling analytics, real-time monitoring, and informed decision-making. However, local administrative data remain underutilized due to organizational, technological, and legal barriers, even in advanced countries like Estonia. While Estonia is globally recognized for its digital governance success, its local governments face persistent challenges in OGD adoption. This study explores barriers preventing Estonian municipalities from sharing data, using a qualitative approach through interviews with Estonian municipalities. Drawing on the OGD-adapted Innovation Resistance Theory (IRT) model, it highlights current issues such as limited awareness, skills gaps, and data quality. By identifying overlooked weaknesses in Estonia's open data ecosystem and providing actionable recommendations, this research contributes to a more resilient and sustainable open data ecosystem development. Additionally, by validating the OGD-adapted Innovation Resistance Theory model and proposing a revised version tailored for local government contexts, the study advances theoretical frameworks on data sharing resistance. Ultimately, this study serves as a call to action for policymakers and practitioners to prioritize local OGD initiatives, ensuring the full utilization of OGD in smart city development.