Open Data and Equity: Naming the Issues,Blaming the Causes,and Claiming Solutions. An Exploratory and Interdisciplinary Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Open data fall short of their goal to empower all social groups equally. Although the literature examines this issue through the concept of inclusion, substantial gaps remain in defining and understanding the implications of open data for equity in public administration, with research on this topic scattered across disciplines. This fragmentation hinders the possibility of evaluating public policies. To address this gap, we ask: What is the state of the art (naming) on equity in relation to open data, particularly regarding the causes and effects of inequities (blaming) and the strategies to address them (claiming)? Our interdisciplinary review of 69 studies finds that open data serve as a valuable tool for detecting inequities. However, they also raise concerns related to data justice, as inequities in open data arise from epistemic injustice, commodification, capability gaps, financial constraints, and governance structures reinforcing power asymmetries. To address these issues, we suggest balancing data pluralism with standardization and shifting research data practices toward reflexivity. Other strategies focus on governance and encompass stewardship and the adoption of collective benefit models. Our findings provide researchers and public officials with a lens to critically understand open data as new technologies emerge and build upon them.