Leveraging Public APIs for Human Centered Strategic Decision Making in Digital Organizations

Fransisca Rahardja (University of Auckland)

JOT
Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026): October

Public Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) have become essential com- ponents of digital ecosystems, enabling organizations to access external data and transform it into meaningful information for strategic decision making. While previous studies have primarily emphasized the technical and operational roles of Public APIs, limited attention has been given to their contribution to human centered strategic decision making within digital organizations. This study aims to explore how Public APIs support strategic decision making by enhancing managerial interpretation, organizational responsiveness, and responsible digital innovation while promoting human centered organizational practices. A qualitative multiple case study approach was employed involving organizations operating in data intensive digital environments. Data were collected through semi structured interviews with managers and analysts, complemented by document analysis and limited non participant observation. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns related to strategic decision support, organizational adaptability, and human centered technology adoption. The findings demonstrate that Public APIs function not only as technical connectors but also as strategic information resources that strengthen managerial judgment, improve organizational agility, and support evidence based decision making. The study further reveals that integrating external data through Public APIs encourages more transparent, inclusive, and responsible decision making, thereby contributing to organizational resilience and stakeholder value. However, challenges related to data quality, governance, external dependency, and trust remain important considerations for sustainable implementation. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on human centered digital transformation by demonstrating how Public APIs can support responsible strategic decision making beyond purely technical applications. The findings offer practical insights for organizations seeking to align data driven innovation with organizational objectives while fostering transparency, inclusiveness, and broader humanistic impact within digital ecosystems.