Open data in public administration: An evaluation based on examples of local administration practices in Türkiye

The digitalization era has increased citizens' demand for access to information and their expectations for the online provision of public services, compelling administrations to transfer their operations to digital platforms and expand data sharing practices. In this transformation process, open data emerges as a strategic tool for implementing the principles of transparency, accountability, and participation in public administration. This thesis aims to analyze the current state of open data use in local governments in Türkiye and to identify best practice examples in this field. The theoretical framework addresses the definition and principles of open data as well as its role in public administration, followed by a comparative analysis with countries such as South Korea and Australia, which have advanced implementations in the field. The research employs a qualitative method, using literature review and content analysis techniques. Decisions, projects, and existing policies within the scope of the open data process in Türkiye were examined, and the open data portals of 10 metropolitan municipalities and 3 district municipalities selected as the sample were evaluated through content analysis. Official documents and reports published by public institutions were used as the main data sources. The findings reveal that the institutionalization level of open data practices in Türkiye has not yet reached the desired level. Factors such as deficiencies in technical infrastructure, limitations in institutional capacity, legal gaps, and an underdeveloped data-sharing culture significantly constrain the performance of local governments in this area. This study provides a comprehensive examination of the current state of open data in local governments in Türkiye, offering both a theoretical contribution to the literature and practical policy recommendations for enhancing open data implementation. Keywords: Public Administration, Local Administrations, Open Data, Transparency, Digital Transformation.