| Data analytics are increasingly used by governments in the United States and around the world to enable data-driven decision making. However, limited attention has been given from the research community to how data analytics tools, techniques and results are used by different actors (producers and consumers) within governments, in particular, local governments. Using a socio-technical view, this study examines the main factors that influence data analytics use. The main contribution of this study is a new insight about the ability to use data analytics in local governments, in particular, that it is contingent on several socio-technical factors including data value, leadership, and social factors. Of particular note in terms of the findings, this study finds that inter-organizational information sharing is important in data analytics use in local governments. Information sharing was found to be a factor in addressing data availability challenges, conceptualizing and reframing problems, and providing insights on data analytics results. By producing new insight from practice about the role of diverse socio-technical factors in data analytics use in local governments, this work is especially relevant to public managers and leaders who are designing and implementing data-driven initiatives. |
