Factors Influencing Policy Researchersbehavioral Intention to Use Open Data Technologies in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

With the growing open government movement, governments have put effort to open their data, and provide it through open data technology. One important determinant of the success of open data initiatives is the extent to which the data and its related technologies are made use of. Kenya launched its open data initiative in July 2011 and previous research cited low usage of the open data platform. Methodical research that uses rigorous theoretical bases about use of technology is also deficient. It has not yet been clear which theories are most applicable. This study explored factors which influence behavioral intention of policy researchers to use open data technology, guided by UTAUT theory. The target population was 110 policy researchers drawn from ten research organizations and think tanks, in Nairobi County, Kenya. Out of the sample size of 52, 45 responded giving a response rate of 86.5%. Questionnaires were used as the data collection instrument, and a pilot test was undertaken to confirm their reliability, and validity. Regression analysis results indicated that performance expectancy, social influence, and effort expectancy were significant in determining policy researchers’ intention to use open data technology. Facilitating conditions and the moderators; age, gender, and experience were found to be insignificant. The modified UTAUT model was found to account for a significant variance (86.6%) of the behavioral intention to make use of open data technology. Keywords: Open data, UTAUT, Open government, use, Open data technology