A path model for analyzing user experience with open government data: evidence from Qatar’s Ehteraz application

Purpose This research aims to explore end-users’ personal experiences with open government data (OGD) through the case of Qatar’s Ehteraz mobile application. It offers a novel perspective by examining these experiences through the lens of technology adoption behavior. Design/methodology/approach This study incorporated various techniques to analyze the data collected through a questionnaire from 1,426 Qataris and white-collar expatriates. First, confirmatory factor analysis was used to establish the validity of the questionnaire and identify items related to “perceived ease of use,” “perceived usefulness,” “attitude” and “users’ personal experience with OGD.” Second, the researcher computed the difference between total performance and total importance for 13 OGD attributes, with the computed score “confirmation” used as a variable for path analysis. Third, a path analytical model examined the connection between “perceived ease of use,” “perceived usefulness,” “confirmation,” “attitude toward OGD” and “users’ personal experience with Ehteraz.” Findings The computed score “confirmation” revealed an 82% surplus and an 18% deficit, underscoring the positive impact and effectiveness of OGD attributes in Qatar. Furthermore, path analysis demonstrated that this surplus, combined with “perceived ease of use,” “perceived usefulness” and “attitude toward OGD,” significantly influenced “users’ personal experience with Ehteraz.” Practical implications This study offers key insights for policymakers and industry leaders to enhance users’ personal experiences with OGD mobile applications. Originality/value This study contributes to existing literature as the first study in Qatar to propose a path analytical model integrating the technology acceptance model and the expectation–confirmation theory, exploring the effect of different predictors on personal experiences of end-users with the Ehteraz OGD mobile application.