How to Operate a National Chief Data Officer: A Comparative Analysis on the Governance of Major Countries

Data is a strategic asset for Data-Based Policy Making(DBPM) and digital economic transformation. Especially, data-oriented government innovation and social transformation are a matter of national survival and major countries are competing in that competition. For pursing a national innovation, it is important that the governance which is clearly defines the role and responsibility to lead data innovation at the national level. In this regard, a national Chief Data Officer(CDO) system has emerged recently as a new paradigm for national data innovation, mainly in the United States, the United Kingdom, and South Korea. It may be useful to analyze the CDO operating system of those countries. This study employs a comparative approach to explaining the trends and common features of the national CDO system. The focal point of analysis is the legal basis of CDO system, organization and governance, required capability and authority of CDO, and its hiring process. Summing up, the study shows that an organization-wide awareness of the benefits of data innovation, a powerful authority to lead and coordinate regarding agencies, a competent supporting organization is crucial to the successful operation of CDO system.