Appraisal the Effect of Government Data Openness on Competiveness in Iran with Mediating of Knowledge-Based Economy

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• Ezzatollah Asgharizadeh ¹
• Mehdi Ajalli ²
• Farnaz Almasieh ³

¹ Professor of Industrial Management, Faculty of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

² Assistant Professor, Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Management and Accounting, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran

³ Master of Executive Management, Islamic Azad University of Dolatabad, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22067/erd.2023.83526.1189

Abstract

 
1- INTRODUCTION
The primary goal of open data transparency is to improve government reliability and business opportunities from a political perspective by increasing government transparency and creating new employment and business opportunities from an economic perspective through greater participation and collaboration with the private sector.The next goal is to strengthen the government's competitiveness through economic innovation. As government data openness is expected to have a positive impact on national economies, governments around the world are under pressure for an open data policy.
According to the regulations on the recognition of knowledge-based companies and institutions, knowledge-based companies are private or cooperative institutions that aim to increase science and wealth, economic development based on knowledge and realize scientific and economic goals in line with the expansion of invention and innovation and finally the commercialization of research and development results.(Including the design and production of goods and services) is formed in the field of superior technologies with a lot of added value (especially in the production of related software).
According to the approved regulations, knowledge-based companies pursue goals such as persuading the faculty of universities and research units for more activities in meeting the needs of society and the possibility of increasing the income of faculty members, commercializing research findings, increasing the specific income of universities and research units, the general theme of knowledge-based activity.
Isfahan Science and Research Town as the first organization to establish growth centers and science and technology parks in the country in the area of Azadegan highway in Khomeinishahr and next to Isfahan University of Technology, and close to industrial towns and exemplary tourism areas of Khomeinishahr including Cheshme Lader while supporting the launch andthe development of knowledge-based companies and institutions has been able to take effective steps in the development of production and export of knowledge-based products and sustainable employment of university graduates. In any case, no study has been done on the transparency of government data and its effect on the competitiveness of governments.To fill the research gap, this study investigated the effect of government data transparency on the country's competitiveness with the mediating role of knowledge-based economy at the level of knowledge-based companies based in Tehran and Isfahan.
This research seeks to answer the following questions: 1. How does the transparency of government data affect the formation of the knowledge-based economy of countries? 2. How does the knowledge-based level of a country affect competitiveness? 3. Can the formation of a knowledge-based economy play a mediating role in the effect of transparency of government data on the competitiveness of Iran?
 
2- THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
In research studied open government data through a systematic empirical literature review. This study conducts a systematic literature review of 169 empirical studies of open government data and derives a theoretical framework of antecedents, decisions, and outcomes to understand the evidence of these data in the context of the digital economy and a theory-based research agenda to exploit the potential. Research in this framework is presented.
In a research, researchers developed methodologies and applications in the knowledge-based economy by using multi-criteria decision-making analysis.The results showed that the simultaneous discussion of recent methodologies and applications using multi-criteria decision-making analysis and consideration of the challenges shaping the knowledge-based economy depends on the themes of technological forecasting and social changes.
In a paper, researchers have studied the impact of globalization on peace and stability: governance concepts and knowledge economy of African countries.They stated that there is an indirect relationship between globalization and the knowledge-based economy of African countries, which affects peace and stability, and peace and stability are also affected by the knowledge-based economy of the government.The results of the research show that peace and stability of the government are more strongly influenced by globalization in commercial mode than foreign direct investment.The final result of the research indicates that foreign direct investment is not a suitable and useful mechanism for estimating and preserving African knowledge.Therefore, with the development of globalization, peace and stability will increase in African countries.
In a study, under the title of the effect of openness of government data on the knowledge-based economy, they investigated the effect of open government data on the knowledge-based economy by using path analysis and factor analysis. The results of the research showed that the transparency of government data has a positive and direct effect on the formation of knowledge base in a country. Also, the knowledge-based level of a country has a positive effect on the global competitiveness of that country.
In a paper, researchers conducted a systematic review on open governance data design.
Researchers in research titled knowledge-based economy in the European Union, using cluster analysis on the main components of the strategy indicators for the studied countries, tried to find out the position of the 27 countries of the European Union from the perspective of the knowledge-based economy. Their study provided a basis for understanding the position of Romania among the countries of the European Union.
Researchers in research entitled Redefining the knowledge-based economy-sustainable development relationship, examined various definitions and approaches related to the subject of knowledge-based economy and how to measure it, as well as various theories that have been presented in the field of sustainable development, withthe use of content analysis method has been discussed.
In a paper, researchers have done research called knowledge economy by using content analysis.According to them, the advancement of information and communication technologies and the importance of knowledge as a determining factor in organizational competitiveness and productivity require special requirements for the organization.(Hsu et al., 2008) have paid attention to the investigation of competitive policies for the purpose of technological innovations in the era of knowledge-based economy.The results of their study show the positive effect of competitive policies on technological innovations.
In a paper, researchers also investigated the knowledge gap and the relative efficiency of the selected countries in the transition to a knowledge-based economy in an article titled "Development of Southeast Asian countries towards a knowledge-based economy" by using data envelopment analysis.In this article, the performance of selected countries is evaluated by two methods: radar chart and data coverage analysis.
In a research, researchers stated that in the knowledge-based economy, information, technology and learning have been introduced as factors of growth and productivity. In fact, with the continuous application and production of knowledge as the core of the economic development process, the economy necessarily becomes a knowledge-based economy. Knowledge-based economy is an economy in which knowledge is the main key to economic growth. In this economy, knowledge is acquired, produced and disseminated and is used efficiently and effectively to increase economic development.
In a paper, researchers, during a study, examine the effect of different aspects of knowledge (within the framework of knowledge-based economy) on the economic growth of 92 countries during the period of 1960-2000. In this study, using modeling, several indicators are used for each axis of the knowledge-based economy. The results showed that different aspects of knowledge had a positive effect on the economic growth of 83 during the study period.
 
3- METHODOLOGY
In this study, five constructs were extracted from the literature related to open data and the knowledge-based economy: data openness, knowledge distribution, knowledge creation, knowledge diffusion, and competitiveness.Data transparency is defined as the transparency of government data.Absorption of knowledge is the concept of acquiring knowledge in a country.Creating knowledge means producing new knowledge in a country.Diffusion of knowledge means the distribution of knowledge of one country to other countries.Competitiveness means the competitive advantages of a country.The competitiveness index is obtained from the announced economic reports of the world.
The research method in this study is based on the research orientation, applied type and based on the research strategy, survey type. Also, based on the research method, a description of the type of correlation and the statistical population of this research including specialists, senior managers and experts in the field of government data, knowledge-based economy and competitiveness from knowledge-based companies based in Tehran (90 people) and knowledge-based companies based in Science City and the research was conducted in Isfahan (100 people), which is a total of 190 people. Considering the extent of these organizations, using the stratified sampling method, after dividing the statistical population of this research into two groups, Tehran and Isfahan, the number of samples was determined in proportion to the number of experts in each organization (82 and 68 people, respectively) and then by using the random sampling method and the sampling formula from the limited population and the accuracy of 5%, the number of people is estimated to be 150. Finally, managers and experts were randomly selected. In other words, in the present research, all the managers, specialists and experts familiar with the aforementioned systems in the companies are considered as the statistical population of the research, and the designed questionnaires will be distributed and collected within 2 months. This research was cross-sectional and the situation of the problem was measured in the spring of 2017 and the summer of 2017. Data collection is done by using a questionnaire.
 
4- RESULTS & DISCUSSION
According to the results of this paper, the value of R2 has been calculated for the endogenous structure of the level of knowledge-based economy (0.527), and the endogenous structure of competitiveness (0.468), which confirms the suitability of the fit of the structural model according to the three criterion values.
According to the obtained values for Q2 of endogenous constructs, it is clear that there is a strong predictive power of the model regarding all constructs and the fit of the structural model of the research is confirmed again.
Finally, after calculating all the fit criteria of the measurement models and the structural model of the research, the overall fit of the model should be calculated. As calculated in the output of the software, the value of GOF equal to 0.293 was obtained, which is a good value and indicates an almost strong fit of the structural model, as a result, the overall fit of the model is also confirmed.
 
5- CONCLUSIONS & SUGGESTIONS
Considering the confirmation of the main hypothesis, we can conclude that: 1- Access to the government data line has a positive effect on the formation of the knowledge-based economy in Iran. 2- The release of sustainable data collection has a positive effect on the formation of knowledge-based economy in Iran. Comparing the output of this research with other researches, it was found that no research has been done in this regard. On the other hand, the output of this research is consistent with the previous researches.
Considering the results of the research, the following policy recommendations and practical suggestions were presented: 1. Providing the necessary platforms for the dynamic and constructive interaction of our country's industries with regional and international industrial countries; 2. Providing the necessary incentives to attract foreign investment; 3. And applying outward-looking business policies, including basic and basic solutions to improve the competitiveness of our country's knowledge-based industries in global and regional markets; 4. Emphasizing on applied research and facilitating and encouraging the use of scientific findings in the process of globalization of production and trade as practical measures for the simultaneous promotion of knowledge base and development. 5. Providing favorable financial resources, including risk-taking investors, foreign investment and government budgets in order to launch knowledge-based businesses; 6. Providing appropriate infrastructure including telecommunications, information and communication technology, scientific networks; 7. Development of government policies, including business support environment, legal system, tax system and appropriate regulatory policies; 8. Rule the thinking of innovation, invention and creativity in the education system instead of reservations, to encourage the country's young forces to engage in entrepreneurial activities and start knowledge-based businesses.

Keywords

• Government Data Transparency
• Competitiveness
• Knowledge-Based
• Knowledge-Based Economy
• Knowledge-Based Companies

Main Subjects

• Regional Economics

References

Abdulhosseinzadeh, M.; Sanai, M., & Zulfiqarzadeh, M. M., (2016). The conceptualization of governance open data policy and the explanation of its advantages and benefits in different areas of policymaking, Quarterly Journal of Strategic Public Policy Studies, Volume 7, Number 22, pp. 55-74. (in Persian).

Abunoori, A. A.; Hanta, M., & Azita, G. J. (2012). Investigating the role of knowledge-based economy components on the total productivity of production factors, Macroeconomic Research Journal, 8th year, number 16. (in Persian). (in Persian).

Amjadi, K.; Rahbari Baniyan, G., & Soltani Fasqandis, G. (2011). Analysis of the impact of knowledge-based economy indicators on the gross domestic product of countries, Beyond Management, Volume 6, Number 21: 104-83. (in Persian).

Attard, J.; Orlandi, F.; Scerri, S., & Auer, S. (2015). A systematic review of open government data initiatives, Government Information Quarterly, 32(4), 399-418.

Baseri, B.; Asghari, N., & Kia, M. (2010). Comparative analysis of the role of knowledge-based economy components on economic growth. Iranian Economic Research Quarterly, Volume 16, Number 4: pp. 1-29. (in Persian).

Behbodhi, D.; Moharram Jodi, N., & Nina, M. (2014). Investigation of the effect of knowledge-based economy on production growth in Iran using gravity search algorithm and firefly algorithm, Economic Progress Policy Quarterly, Volume 3, Number 8, pp. 65-93. (in Persian).

Bernd, W.; Wirtz, J. C., Weyerer, M. B.; Wilhelm, M. M., (2022). Open government data: A systematic literature review of empirical research, Electronic Markets, 32:2381–2404,

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12525-022-00582-8.

Bollen, K., & Lennox, R. (1991). Conventional Wisdom on Measurement: A Structural Equation Perspective. Psychological Bulletin, 110:305-314.

Chang, S. H., & Chen, C. M. L., (2015). A New Approach to Assess the Changing Growth Model of Open National Innovation Systems. International Journal of Innovation Science; 7:183-197.

Chen, D. H. C., & Dahlman, C. J., (2004). Knowledge and development: a cross-section approach (Vol. 3366). World Bank Publications.

Chin, W. W., (2002). The Partial Least Squares Approach to Structural Equation Modeling. In G. A. Marcoulides (Ed.), Modern Methods for Business Research. Mahwah, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates; 1998, p. 295-336

Dadgar, Y.; Yazdani, M., & Khoini, P. (2018). Investigating and identifying variables affecting the realization of knowledge-based economy in Iran and selected countries in the horizon of 2050, Review of Iran's Economic Issues, Volume 6, Number 1, (Serial Number: 11), Shahrivar, 101-120.

Davari, A., & Rezazadeh, A. (2013). Structural equation modeling with PLS software, second edition, Jihad University Press. (in Persian).

Davies, T.; Sharif, R. M., & Alonso, J. M. (2015). Open Data Barometer Global Report: Second Edition: World Wide Web Foundation.

Dutta, S.; Lanvin, B., & Wunsch, V. S. (2015). The Global Innovation Index 2015: Effective Innovation Policies for Development: Cornell University, INSEAD, and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

European Data Portal (2015). Creating Value through Open Data. Study on the Impact of Re-use of Public Data Resources». Available online at:

http://www. europeandataportal.eu/en/content/ creating-value-through-open-data [2016/12/26].

 Gorjizadeh, A., & Sharifi Ranani, H. (2013). "The role of knowledge-based economy in controlling inflation", Scientific Research Quarterly of Economic Modeling, Volume 8, Number 28, pp. 107-125. (in Persian).

 Grossman, G. M., & Helpman, E. (1991). Innovation and Growth in the Global Economy: MIT Press.

Hamzezadeh, M., & Khoshsima, R. (2016). The effect of knowledge management on the economic productivity of knowledge-based projects, specialized scientific quarterly of engineering and construction management, second year, first issue. (in Persian).

Hsu, G. J.; Lin, Y. H., & Wei, Z. Y. (2008). Competition policy for technological innovation in an era of knowledge-based economy. Knowledge-Based Systems, 21(8), 826-832.

 Jetzek, T.; Avital, M., & Bjorn-Andersen, N. (2014). Data-Driven Innovation through Open Government Data. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research, 9:100-120.

Karimi, F., & Hasanpour, Y. (2010). Investigating the effect of the competitiveness of Iran's knowledge-based industries in trade with the Southwest Asian region, Economic Research and Policy Quarterly, 19th year, number 60, pages 112-99. (in Persian).

Kerr, A., & Riain, S. (2009). Knowledge Economy. In: International Encyclopaedia of Human Geography. Oxford: Elsevier.

Kitchin, R. (2014). The Data Revolution: Big Data, Open Data, Data Infrastructures and Their Consequences: Sage.

 Nam, L. J.; Juyeon H., & Byounggu C. (2016). Effect of Government Data Openness on a Knowledge Based Economy, Procedia Computer Science, 91 (2016) 158 – 167.

Nazeman, H., & Islamifar, A. (2010). Knowledge-based economy and sustainable development (design and test of an analytical model with global data), Knowledge and Development, Volume 17, Number 33, pp. 184-213. (in Persian).

Nina, M.; Sheikh I. S., & Mirani, W. (2013). Investigating the effects of knowledge-based economy dimensions on production growth in Iran, Journal of Industrial Management: Volume 9, Special Issue of Knowledge Management, pp. 77-90. (in Persian).

  OECD (1996). The Knowledge-Based Economy STI Outlook. Paris: OECD.

Pergo, B.; Azad Aramaki, A.; Davoudi, A., & Hajizadeh, S., (2022). The impact of knowledge management on knowledge-based economy with the mediating role of entrepreneurial mindset, Modern Management Engineering Quarterly, Volume 8, Number 4, March, page 1-33. (in Persian).

Phelps, C.; Heidl, R., & Wadhwa, A. (2012). Knowledge, Networks, and Knowledge Networks: A Review and Research Agenda. Journal of Management, 38:1115-1166.

 Roberts, N., & Thatcher, J. (2009). Conceptualizing and Testing Formative Constructs: Tutorial and Annotated Example. The DATA BASE for Advances in Information Systems; 40:9-39.

 Romer, P. M. (1986). Increasing Returns and Long-Run Growth. Journal of Political Economy, 94:1002-1037.

Sabau, G. L. (2010). Know, live and let live: Towards a redefinition of the knowledge-based economy—sustainable development nexus. Ecological Economics, 69(6), 1193-1201.

Salami, R.; Mirzaei, H., & Safardoost, A. (2016). Moving towards a knowledge-based economy by examining the internal relationship between the input and output dimensions of the global innovation index, Roshd Technology Quarterly, year 13, number 51. (in Persian).

Shahabadi, A., & Amiri, B. (2010). "The effect of knowledge-based economy on labor productivity in developing countries", economic policies (useful letter), 7(17) (1(84)): pp. 111-130. (in Persian).

Tan, H. B., & Hooy, C. W. (2007). The development of East Asian countries towards a knowledge-based economy: a DEA analysis. Journal of the Asia Pacific Economy, 12(1), 17-33.

Taslimi, M. S.; Sanai, M., & Hosseinzadeh, M. A. (2016). Identification and prioritization of the challenges of realizing open government data policy in Iran: the application of hierarchical analysis method and fuzzy TOPSIS, Scientific Research Quarterly of Public Policy, volume 3, number 2, pp. 57-89. (in Persian).

Zuiderwijk, A. M. G.; Helbig, N.; Gil-Garcia, J.R., & Janssen, M. F. W. H. A. (2014). Special Issue on Innovation through Open Data: A review of the State-of-Art and an Emerging Research Agenda: Guest Editors’ Introduction, (Article.), University of Talca, Faculty of Engineering.