doorzicht

Doorzicht is a Dutch noun meaning transparency, clarity, or visibility. It describes the quality of being easy to understand or of an institution or process that is open and accessible. The term can denote both physical properties, such as materials that allow light to pass through, and metaphorical properties, such as openness in governance, business, or communication.

Etymology: The word combines door (through) and zicht (sight), literally “through sight.” In everyday use it is often paired with doorzichtig or transparant to emphasize openness.

Usage in governance and business: In public administration, doorzicht refers to openness about policies, decision-making processes, and information disclosure. Dutch law such as the Wet openbaarheid van bestuur (Public Administration Information Act) and related regulations aim to increase doorzicht by enabling access to government information. In the corporate and nonprofit sectors, doorzicht is linked to transparent reporting, risk disclosure, governance structures, and stakeholder communication, helping to build trust and accountability.

Other contexts: Physically, doorzicht is used to describe materials that are see-through, like glass, plastic, or membranes. In organizational contexts, it also denotes the communicative clarity with which decisions, criteria, or performance are explained to employees and the public.

Critique and limits: Advocates argue that doorzicht fosters accountability and trust, while opponents warn that excessive transparency can reveal sensitive information, overwhelm audiences, or reduce competitive advantage. Some contexts require balancing openness with privacy and security.

See also: transparency, open government, accountability, open data.