Open Data within a Smart City Initiative : A case study exploring how collaboration can foster innovation within a smart city initiative

Abstract: Open data is information readable by machines that are freely available to others and it is further the defining element of a smart city. However, little research has been conducted within the area of open data within the smart city context. Further, the smart city initiative explored is the second to be established in Sweden, and an open data platform will serve as the cornerstone in the smart city initiative. In addition to that, the collaboration between the stakeholders is a key factor for reaching the common goal when creating a smart city. In this case study, the researchers have conducted an exploratory case study in order to examine how stakeholders can collaborate within a smart city initiative to foster innovation through the use of open data. Therefore, key stakeholders within the project have been interviewed and the concept of digital innovation network has been adopted to get a deeper understanding of the project, as it involves institutions and companies from both public and private sector that aims to be innovative together. Further, this study identifies four key concerns to guide the smart city initiative. There is a need for a clear strategy and committed management when opening up and handling data; to involve public opinion in data collection, analysis and application to make the open data platform function; to bridge the knowledge resources between the stakeholders in order to benefit from the collaboration in the project; and make a distinction in how to share data between the two discovered innovation networks.