Title: Semantic interoperability in electronic government: a bibliometric analysis and systematic review

Authors: Safa Mohamed Yousif Ahmed; Hassana Twinomurinzi

Addresses: Department of Computer Science, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Khartoum, Sudan ' Centre for Applied Data Science, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract: Semantic interoperability (SI) in government remains elusive and challenging. This study, therefore, investigated what research has been conducted about SI in the government context using a bibliometric review, and an analysis of the top 20 influential and 20 most recent publications. The results show a shift from proposing technical to conceptual models, despite the importance of the technical models to SI. SI research has also evolved over the years to represent different government domain knowledge formally and is influenced more by linked data and open data. The key findings reveal a scarcity of research that leverages the intersection of semantic technologies with artificial intelligence models. SI research in government is also strongly influenced by government funding and therefore stalls when government priorities change. The funding variability might also be an indication of limited academic interest, especially in resource-constrained countries, but also indicates greater consulting opportunities. A research agenda for future research is proposed.

Keywords: semantic interoperability; interoperability; semantic technology; electronic government; digital government; bibliometric; performance analysis; scientific mapping analysis; systematic review.

DOI: 10.1504/EG.2025.144733

Electronic Government, an International Journal, 2025 Vol.21 No.2, pp.180 - 209

Received: 22 Feb 2023
Accepted: 12 Mar 2024
Published online: 28 Feb 2025 *

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