The Potential of BOLD in National Budget Planning: Opportunities and Challenges for Kosovo

Linked Open Government Data: Still a Viable Option for Sharing and Integrating Public Data?

“…This collaborative method highlights the importance of human input and collective effort in enhancing the accuracy and reliability of data linking in the public sector. In their 2020 study, Geci et al [69] investigated the use of LOGD to improve budget transparency in Kosovo. Their research, which included desk reviews and interviews with government and NGO officials, revealed key challenges: poor metadata quality (e.g., temporality, formats, provenance), difficulties in data linking by government employees, and a lack of educational programs for effective data management.…”

“…After the interlinks are established, they may not align with the expectations implied by the joint utilization of the interlinked datasets. The quality of the links affects the usability of the aggregated data obtainable by exploiting the interlinking [69] and, as it has also been noticed in a more general application of LD technologies, it might seriously affect the suitability of aggregated data for specific downstream applications [99,100].…”

“…Furthermore, despite the authority of data providers, datasets are often not uniformly accurate or consistent, as noted in [87], where inconsistencies between source systems, often due to different domain foci, increase the complexity of data integration. Acknowledging the significance of enhancing data availability, quality, and understandability, Scholl et al [69] underscore these factors as essential prerequisites for the successful implementation of LOGD. In the same vein, Deng et al [88] highlight that the inconsistency of content in OGD poses a significant challenge to LD integration.…”

“…Penteado et al [33] note that, despite guidelines for publishing LD, many producers lack sufficient knowledge of these practices. Scholl et al [69] connect the expected results in LOGD initiatives to the lack of ability to link available data.…”

“…Similarly, measures such as the EU open data directive are instrumental in promoting the reuse of public sector information. While stressing the importance of training for both officials and civil stakeholders in the field of LOGD, Geci et al [69] argue that the effectiveness of such training and the overall success of LOGD practices are strictly dependent on a proactive legal framework based on a national strategy.…”