Title: NODSI: Normative and Organisational Analysis of Open Data in Slovenia (V5-2389)
Head of the research group: doc. dr. Tina Jukić
The project aims to holistically address the issue of organizational maturity of public organizations in the context of Open Government Data (OGD)within the Slovenian administrative environment and, based on that, provide sustainable solutions that will ensure a “default” OGD maturity at theorganizational level. Thus, the project goes beyond the current “ad hoc” approach of supporting public organizations only in the context of theopening individual data sets. Instead it supports the structural transformation of public organizations into leading actors within data ecosystemsthat are mature to contribute with high-quality OGD and actively co-create public value (including new and improved user-centred public services).
With this purpose, the project pursues the following three objectives (that reflect the objectives of the call topic n. 5.11.9):
– Systematic and comprehensive analysis of the normative framework regarding OGD, with a special insight into the implementation effortsregarding Directive (EU) 2019/1024, Directive 2007/2/EC, and Regulation (EU) 2018/1807.
– Development of a digital interactive tool aimed at helping public organizations improve their overall organizational OGD maturity. The tool willassess all organisational aspects with the purpose of offering a holistic customized approach and practical advice for organizational transformation.
– Preparation of a fully-fledged framework for data stewardship. The project will critically evaluate the established network of data stewards andcontribute to ongoing efforts for closer definition of their profile.
These objectives are perused through an interdisciplinary approach and thoughtful combination of qualitative and quantitative methods – such assystematic normative analysis, comparative legal method, content analysis, semi-structured interviews, surveys, multi-criteria decision-makingmethods (MCDM), etc.
Based on this, we have committed to achieving the following six outcomes:
– Comprehensive overview of the results Slovenia has achieved at different OGD international scales and indexes.
– Comprehensive analysis of the Slovenian and European constitutional and legal frameworks in the field of data openness, as well as normativeanalysis (implying quality of implementation, and proposals for improvements of the national legal framework) of measures undertaken for theimplementation of Directive (EU) 2019/1024, Directive 2007/2/EC, and Regulation (EU) 2018/1807.
– Identification of OGD drivers and barriers based on a content analysis of the relevant literature and empirical research in the Slovenianadministrative environment.
– Design of a model for the assessment of OGD organisational maturity in public administration organizations.
– Developed tool that practically supports the assessment of OGD organizational maturity of public administration organizations.
– Report on the Slovenian data stewardship system, which critically evaluates the current state-of-the-art and provides concrete recommendationsfor improvement. Special attention will be given to the profile of data stewards, including the required competencies, responsibilities, skills, andresources for the successful fulfilment of their mission within the wider data stewardship system.
As an added value of the project, we point out its original contribution to theory – i.e. the (re)conceptualization of the idea of OGD organizationalmaturity from the perspective of the Slovenian administrative context, as well as its practical contribution – i.e. the development of the first OGD toolfrom and for a CEE country (with a potential for easy adaptation in other countries with a similar administrative tradition).
Duration (from/to):
1. 10. 2023—31. 3. 2025
Contracting Authority:
Ministry of Digital Transformation & Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
Financing:
The project is being financed within A price category for 18 months.
Members of the research group:
Project phases and their realization
The program operates on the basis of work packages (WPs). For each work package, the project schedule proposes the duration, which research organizations will carry out individual research activities, and what the outcome will be.
The proposed project content is logically organized into five thematic work packages (WPs):
WP 1: Analysis of the state and trends in the field of Open Government Data in the Slovenian administrative environment with international comparison
The aim of WP 1 is to prepare a comprehensive analysis of the state and trends in the field of Open Government Data in Slovenia with international comparison. This strives to:
- Chronologically define and track trends and progress within the country.
- Position Slovenia at the global or regional level regarding progress in Open Government Data.
WP 2: Systematic and comprehensive analysis of the regulatory framework for open government data
The second WP represents the core of the regulatory analysis of the proposed project. As it is an inherently multi-layered and broad work package, within which the regulation of open government data will be analyzed in various regulatory contexts and various key European and national legislative acts, the work within WP 2 will be divided into 4 sub-work packages (SubWPs). Classic research methods of legal science will be employed in carrying out this work package.
WP 3: Development of methodology and tools to support the maturity assessment of public administration organizations in opening their data
The third work package represents the core of the proposed project. Its goal is to develop methodology and tools to support the assessment of maturity of public organizations in opening their data, specifically in the Slovenian administrative environment. As this is a substantial and complex work package, the work will be organized into four sub-work packages (SubWPs).
WP 4: Development and testing of a tool to measure the maturity of public administration organizations in opening their data
The hierarchical structure of the model for measuring organizational maturity for Open Government Data, including their (weighted) attributes (results of WP 3), serves as a starting point for developing an applied web tool available for use by all organizations within the Slovenian public administration.
WP 4 will be executed in two steps or sub-packages (SubWPs).
WP 5: Preparation of a systemic framework for stewardship of open government data in the Slovenian administrative environment
WP 5 will complement the existing efforts of the Ministry of Digital Transformation in developing a network of data stewards. Slovenia is comparatively advanced in this regard, being among the first in the world to establish such a network. Within this work package, the following will be conducted:
- Define the profile of an “ideal” data steward for Open Government Data based on literature.
- Analyze the profiles of public servants currently responsible for opening data in the Slovenian public administration (their positions, responsibilities).
- Analyze their competencies for data stewardship.
- Compare their skill level with the profile of an “ideal” data steward.
- Critically evaluate the format and activities of the data stewardship system and based on this, prepare recommendations for systemic improvements.
Based on this, guidelines will also be prepared for designing appropriate training for data stewards, serving the Administrative Academy and other relevant or interested organizations in preparing training programs for public servants.
Parallel to these five thematic work packages (WPs), three additional WPs will run throughout the project duration (and even after the project is concluded). These will ensure efficient project organization, successful achievement of all project objectives and outcomes, as well as project compliance with the principles of open science:
WP 6: Dissemination of results
All project partners will actively participate in dissemination activities throughout the project and after its conclusion. This will ensure maximum outreach to domestic and international professional, scientific, and lay audiences.
WP 7: Management of research data
WP 7, led by FU UL, will run concurrently with all the aforementioned WPs. Its purpose will be to ensure proper handling of research data and, after the project’s conclusion, their publication in the Research Data Repository (Social Science Data Archive), in accordance with the provisions of the Regulation on the Implementation of Scientific Research in line with the principles of open science (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, no. 059/2023).
At the beginning of the project, the leading partner (FU UL) will prepare a Research Data Management Plan and present partners with their obligations regarding the handling and publication of research data.
WP 8: Project Management
The project leader will be Assoc. Prof. Tina Jukić (FU UL), and each work package will have its thematic leader. FU UL will lead WPs 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8. PF UL and IPP will lead WP 2, while Arctur d.o.o. will lead WP 4.
Immediately after obtaining the project and signing contracts, a virtual project office will be established to collect all thematic outputs of the project, as well as management outputs. Immediately after obtaining the project, FU UL will organize an initial (kick-off) meeting of all project partners, where, among other things, operational work organization will be agreed upon.
Regular consortium meetings will take place once a month, and FU UL will also have meetings with the leaders of each work package before the start of their respective work packages.