This document summarizes research into business models for open data in Dutch public institutions. It identifies two main business models - incremental, which fits into existing strategies, and radical, which enables brand new strategies. Case studies of seven public organizations are analyzed. In general, organizations do not charge for raw open data but may consider fees for excessive usage. They also want to maintain their own presentation services for user feedback. Most organizations expect open data to provide financial benefits.

1. The value of open data
The choice for and results of an open data
strategy for Dutch public institutions
Ton Monasso - ton.monasso@zenc.nl - www.zenc.nl
© Zenc, 2012
This presentation is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

2. Empirical research into business models for open data…
- Which business models - 7 case studies
- are in use / can be used - National Institute for Public Health and
the Environment (RIVM)
- for Dutch public organisations - Municipality of Rotterdam
- that do not currently rely upon - The Province of Noord-Brabant
- CIBG/BIG-register (register of
data revenues?
healthcare professionals)
- Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (Agency
of the Ministry for Education)
- Legislation database (Ministry of the
Interior and Kingdom Relations)
- Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed
(Cultural heritage agency)
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3. …based on a conceptual framework…
Attributes of the
organisation and its
environment
Trigger
Information: primary function?
Open data strategy Discretion
Intended consequences
Target
Relation with re-users Results
Price
Willingness to invest
Usage limitations For the organisation itself
(Semantic) structure of data For government at large
exchange For society
Granularity
Rawness
Availability of webservice Attributes of the data
Availability of presentation
service Privacy sensitivity
Data quality
Actuality
Legal impact
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4. …results in 2 business models…
Incremental Radical
Open data as an instrument to Open data as an element of a
change the mix of distribution brand new organisation and
channels information strategy
Fits into the existing organisation May lead to…
and information strategy - Easing of barriers between
‘internal’ and ‘external’ data
Can be financed from savings on sets
other channels - Intensive relation with re-
users
May lead to heavy increase of data
usage with very limited May require upfront
investments investments and cooperation
from other organisations
May lead to development of
standards, fuelled by reusers
Often requires no or limited
processing of current data
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5. …and some general insights
- None of the organisations charge for the raw data; they may
consider marginal pricing in case of excessive demand
- ‘Open data’ as label is often not recognised
- Organisations are reluctant to abandon their presentation
services (web sites, apps), for reasons of legitimacy and end-
user feedback
- Most organisations foresee or have actually realised financial
gains for themselves
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