APPLYING THE OPEN GOVERNMENT PRINCIPLES TO THE STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR UNIVERSITIES: AN EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE

In this paper, we present an innovative open government experience by applying their main principles (transparency, openness, participation and collaboration) to the strategic planning process for universities. For this purpose, we apply technological tools (Uservoice software and wordpress) to design an on line platform http://www.upo.es/gobierno-abierto/plan-estrategico-2014-2016 through which involves not only the primary university stakeholders (students, teachers, researchers and administrative staff) but also the secondary ones (employers, local government, suppliers, etc) by contributing and voting their proposals to achieve the strategic goals of the university in the long term.
By adopting this philosophy, the design of strategic plans for higher education institutions turns out more effective since it promotes the open discussion, participation and reflection of the university community with regard to the future strategic plan. Moreover, open government principles encourage the collaborative workflow, the stakeholder’s identification with the corporate goals, enhancing their commitment to the success of the strategic plan.

The on-line platform has received, during the participation phase (one month), more than 3.200 visits and 1.875 new visitors. About hundred proposals (actions) have been uploaded and located into the seven strategic goals, and most of them have been open commented and voted by 204 registered users.