Data-driven Technology, Organizational Structure, and Interdepartmental Data Sharing: The Case of Government-led Digital Projects in Guangzhou

Enhancing data sharing among government departments is a prerequisite for effective data utilization, ditigalization, and the improvement of public service quality. However, effective methods for achieving this are currently lacking. While local governments in China are making significant efforts to promote the use of advanced data-driven technologies, this paper explores whether these technologies influence interdepartmental data sharing. Based on data from government-led digital projects in Guangzhou from 2020 to 2022, this paper assesses the impact of technological and organizational arrangements on interdepartmental data sharing. Empirical evidence suggests that Data-Driven Technology (DDT) can promote data-sharing behavior among departments. We also classify two organizational structures: Network Administrative Organizations (NAOs) and Superior Intervention (SI). NAOs facilitate interdepartmental data sharing, while SI enhances project performance but does not necessarily result in data-sharing behavior. These findings indicate that both technological and organizational dimensions play important roles in promoting interdepartmental data sharing.