Network relations among open government data stakeholders: a structural social capital and ERGM analysis

Purpose The objective of this research is to methodically categorize the various types of Open Government Data (OGD) stakeholders, and to elucidate the intricate network relationships among OGD stakeholders, along with the underlying mechanisms that shape their formation. Design/methodology/approach To comprehend the collaboration mechanism of stakeholders in the OGD ecosystem, the authors constructed an OGD multi-stakeholder relationship network by using data from the Shandong Province Data Application Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition. Based on the structural social capital theory and exponential random graph model (ERGM), an analytical framework was established to explore the formation mechanism of the collaborative network of OGD multi-stakeholder. Findings The results indicate that multi-stakeholder collaboration among government, enterprises and the public is crucial for achieving OGD goals. Organizing OGD competitions serves as an effective mechanism for solidifying and maintaining relationships among OGD stakeholder groups. Degree centrality and structural parameters reveal a Matthew effect within the connection process of the OGD ecosystem's collaborative network. Additionally, there is evidence of agglomeration and transferability within the network's structure. Originality/value This study contributes to the understanding regarding the formation mechanism of OGD stakeholders. The findings have implications for developing multi-stakeholder relationship networks of OGD and driving OGD initiatives. Peer review The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-06-2023-0284