In this paper, we conceptualize Open Data ecosystems by analysing the major
stakeholders in the UK. The conceptualization is based on a review of popular
Open Data definitions and business ecosystem theories, which we applied to
empirical data using a timeline analysis. Our work is informed by a
combination of discourse analysis and in-depth interviews, undertaken during
the summer of 2013. Drawing on the UK as a best practice example, we identify
a set of structural business ecosystem properties: circular flow of resources,
sustainability, demand that encourages supply, and dependence developing
between suppliers, intermediaries, and users. However, significant gaps and
shortcomings are found to remain. Most prominently, demand is not yet fully
encouraging supply and actors have yet to experience fully mutual
interdependence