The Role of Open Source Software in Mastering Technologies of an Information System and Its Implication to Technology Transfer

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 58-78
Author(s):  
Niguissie Mengesha
Keyword(s):  
Technology Transfer ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Learning Mechanisms ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Software Production ◽  
Knowledge Circulation ◽  
Networks Of Practice

The philosophy and practice of open source software (OSS) affected not only software production but also implementation and use. However, little is known about the intricacies of implementation and use of domain-specific, frontend information systems compared to production. Especially, empirical studies that examine the learning mechanisms in OSS implementation in developing countries are scant. This paper fills the gap by investigating the implementation of an OSS in a resource-constrained setting. Drawing upon communities of practice and networks of practice theories, the paper examines the mechanisms of the OSS approach that enable knowledge circulation, technology transfer, innovation, and sustainability, and interrogates the technology transfer conceptualization in the light of the approach. It also highlights the measures practitioners and policymakers should take to benefit from OSS.

scholarly journals The Social Order of Open Source Software Production

2011 ◽  
pp. 168-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jochen Gläser
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Subject Matter ◽  
Social Order ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Social Mechanism ◽  
Complete Uncertainty ◽  
Software Production ◽  
The Social ◽  
Collective Production

This chapter contributes to the sociological understanding of open source software (OSS) production by identifying the social mechanism that creates social order in OSS communities. OSS communities are identified as production communities whose mode of production employs autonomous decentralized decision making on contributions and autonomous production of contributions while maintaining the necessary order by adjustment to the common subject matter of work. Thus, OSS communities belong to the same type of collective production system as scientific communities. Both consist of members who not only work on a common product, but are also aware of this collective work and adjust their actions accordingly. Membership is based on the self-perception of working with the community’s subject matter (software or respectively scientific knowledge). The major differences between the two are due to the different subject matters of work. Production communities are compared to the previously known collective production systems, namely, markets, organizations, and networks. They have a competitive advantage in the production under complete uncertainty, that is, when neither the nature of a problem, nor the way in which it can be solved, nor the skills required for its solution are known in advance.

scholarly journals Trust and Community in Open Source Software Production

2004 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Margit Osterloh ◽  
Sandra Rota
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Extrinsic Motivation ◽  
Source Model ◽  
Private Ownership ◽  
Complex Interplay ◽  
Software Production ◽  
Innovation Model ◽  
The Commons ◽  
Low Costs

AbstractOpen source software production is a successful new innovation model which disproves that only private ownership of intellectual property rights fosters innovations. It is analyzed here under which conditions the open source model may be successful in general. We show that a complex interplay of situational, motivational, and institutional factors have to be taken into account to understand how to manage the ‘tragedy of the commons’ as well as the ‘tragedy of the anticommons’. It is argued that the success of this new innovation model is greatly facilitated by a well balanced portfolio of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, low costs for contributors and governance mechanisms that do not crowd out intrinsic motivation.

Open Source and Outsourcing

2009 ◽  
pp. 1934-1950
Author(s):  
Kirk St. Amant
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Knowledge Work ◽  
Transfer Of Knowledge ◽  
International Outsourcing

This chapter examines the role of open source software (OSS) in international outsourcing practices that involve the transfer of knowledge work from one nation to another. Included in this examination are discussions of the benefits and the limitations of OSS use in outsourcing. The chapter also presents organization-specific and industry-wide strategies for effective OSS use in outsourcing situations. The chapter then concludes with a discussion of areas of international outsourcing where OSS might have important future applications or effects. The purpose of such an examination is to provide readers with the knowledge and the insights needed to make effective decisions related to the use of OSS in international outsourcing situations.

An Empirical Investigation into the Adoption of Open Source Software in Hospitals

2009 ◽  
pp. 1608-1627
Author(s):  
Gilberto Munoz-Cornejo ◽  
Carolyn B. Seaman ◽  
A. Günes Koru
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Empirical Model ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Mixed Method Research ◽  
Domain Specific

Open source software (OSS) has gained considerable attention recently in healthcare. Yet, how and why OSS is being adopted within hospitals in particular remains a poorly understood issue. This research attempts to further this understanding. A mixed-method research approach was used to explore the extent of OSS adoption in hospitals as well as the factors facilitating and inhibiting adoption. The findings suggest a very limited adoption of OSS in hospitals. Hospitals tend to adopt general-purpose instead of domain-specific OSS. We found that software vendors are the critical factor facilitating the adoption of OSS in hospitals. Conversely, lack of in-house development as well as a perceived lack of security, quality, and accountability of OSS products were factors inhibiting adoption. An empirical model is presented to illustrate the factors facilitating and inhibiting the adoption of OSS in hospitals.

Community Customers

2011 ◽  
pp. 510-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Community Participation ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Product Life Cycle ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Sales Process ◽  
Software Product ◽  
Specific Community

This chapter discusses the role of the project/product community in the open source product life cycle. It outlines how a community-driven approach affects not only the development process, but also (and more importantly) the marketing/sales process, the deployment, the operation, and in general the resulting software product. Participation in the community is essential for any organization using the product, leading to the concept of a community customer. Specific community participation guidelines are given to organizations and individuals who deploy and use open source software, further develop it, or offer lifetime services on the product.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document