Understanding the role of transparency, participation, and collaboration for achieving open digital government goals in Oman

Purpose: This study sets out to understand the roles of transparency, participation, and collaboration in pursuit of achieving open digital government goals in Oman. The study explores the extent to which these interactive digital apps and other initiatives can enhance digital transparency, collaboration, and public participation to achieve ODG goals. Method: The study has used triangulation of qualitative method by selecting semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews, and public user reviews of ODG apps. Findings: The current research found that collaboration among institutions and transparency of actions and operations besides citizens’ participation in ODG enhances the trust to use ODG services. Therefore, a research framework is devised for synthesizing the significance of public participation and transparency where the aim is to facilitate collaboration among institutions with the purpose to achieve ODG goals. Such collaboration is highly useful for enhancing the ODG public value chain as well as achieving the ODG goals. Implications: This study has recommended practical implications for public institutions and IT developers to work collaboratively with the purpose to address the issues of interactivity and compatibility in ODG apps that can enhance public participation and improve the public value chain. Originality: This study has used the institutional theoretical support to build a research framework that can extends our understanding that what factors can play role to achieve ODG goals.