Information Technology Reference
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means of linking with other data. As a consequence, the functionality of first initia-
tives was limited to the simple uploading and downloading of data. However, the
emergence of Web 2.0 dramatically boosted possibilities, offering users the opportu-
nity to exploit the full potential of PSI, focusing on the development of applications
to enhance the data provided and on its use and reuse, to benefit scientific research,
economic growth, confidence among stakeholders, and broad-based participation
(Maio, 2009; Wattal, Schuff, Mandviwalla, & Williams, 2010). Furthermore, the
reuse of PSI by means of Web 2.0 enables society to benefit from the collective
knowledge of the population, sourcing data via social media and mobile applica-
tions (Khan et al., 2012) and interactive data platforms (Mergel, 2010).
The EU has developed various programs and initiatives with respect to open data,
notably the creation of the European Public Sector Information (EPSI) Platform,
Legal Aspects of Public Sector Information 2.0, and the European data portal. The
first (the EPSI Platform) focuses on the importance of the reuse of PSI and on pro-
motion of dynamic reuse of PSI market throughout the EU (EPSI Platform, 2014).
The objective of Legal Aspects of Public Sector Information 2.0 is to identify the
remaining legal barriers and obstacles to access and reuse of PSI on the European
content market and to propose measures and tools to stimulate the progress of the
European market toward open data. The European data portal was created in 2010
as part of the LOD2 project “Creating Knowledge out of Interlinked Data.” This
is a research project on information and communication technology funded by the
7th Framework Programme of the European Commission, that provides access to
freely reusable databases provided by local, regional, and national public authorities
throughout Europe (PublicData.eu, 2014).
National initiatives by EU countries regarding OGD are very diverse. The fol-
lowing are some of the initiatives and projects carried out by EU countries in the
field of open data. In 2012, the Netherlands established an open data knowledge
network to develop best practices and share insights; in addition, legal and techni-
cal barriers to the reuse of government information were eliminated. Other ini-
tiatives have been implemented in Sweden, Slovakia, and Italy. Sweden promotes
an enhanced use of the open format (application programming interface), which
enables consumers to reuse data; Slovakia has developed its Openness Barometer,
which measures the data provided by the open data portals of government minis-
tries and other official bodies (Government Office of the Slovak Republic, 2012);
and Italy has developed the program “Simplify Italy” to measure administrative
costs and to streamline the consultation of public data. In this respect, the docu-
ment “Promoting an Annual National Contest for Creative Re-use of Public Data”
was published to encourage participation in the area of open data (Italian OGP
Action Plan, 2012). Finally, in 2013, the U.K. Government announced the creation
of a publicly accessible central register of U.K. company beneficial ownership. This
register will contain information on individuals who ultimately own or control
more than 25% of a company's shares or voting rights or who otherwise exercise
control over the company and its management. The register will cover private and
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