The Influence of Open Source Software Volunteer Developers’ Motivations and Attitudes on Intention to Contribute

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 24-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chorng-Guang Wu ◽  
James H. Gerlach ◽  
Clifford E. Young
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Work Motivation ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Length Of Service ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Areas Of Interest

This study differs from previous studies on open source software (OSS) developer motivation by drawing upon theories of volunteerism and work motivation to investigate the motives and attitudes of OSS volunteer developers. The role of commitment is specifically interesting, which is well established in the volunteerism and work motivation literature as a predictor of turnover and positively related to work performance, but has been overlooked by OSS researchers. The authors have developed a research model relating motivations, commitment, satisfaction, and length of service to intention to contribute to OSS projects in the future. The research model is evaluated using data from an online survey of 181 OSS volunteer developers. The research results and more discussion of these areas of interest will be evaluated and discussed further in the article.

The Influence of Open Source Software Volunteer Developers’ Motivations and Attitudes on Intention to Contribute

2013 ◽  
pp. 231-256
Author(s):  
Chorng-Guang Wu ◽  
James H. Gerlach ◽  
Clifford E. Young
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Work Motivation ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Length Of Service ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Areas Of Interest

This study differs from previous studies on open source software (OSS) developer motivation by drawing upon theories of volunteerism and work motivation to investigate the motives and attitudes of OSS volunteer developers. The role of commitment is specifically interesting, which is well established in the volunteerism and work motivation literature as a predictor of turnover and positively related to work performance, but has been overlooked by OSS researchers. The authors have developed a research model relating motivations, commitment, satisfaction, and length of service to intention to contribute to OSS projects in the future. The research model is evaluated using data from an online survey of 181 OSS volunteer developers. The research results and more discussion of these areas of interest will be evaluated and discussed further in the chapter.

scholarly journals Being a Mentor in Open Source Projects

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Steinmacher ◽  
Sogol Balali ◽  
Bianca Trinkenreich ◽  
Mariam Guizani ◽  
Daniel Izquierdo-Cortazar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Task Assignment ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
Organizational Skills ◽  
Automated Support ◽  
Apache Software Foundation

Abstract A well-known way to help newcomers overcome initial contribution challenges is mentoring. This strategy has proven effective in offline and online communities, and to some extent has been employed in Open Source Software (OSS) projects. Through mentoring, newcomers are trained to acquire the technical, social, and organizational skills they need. Despite the importance of OSS mentors, they are under studied in the literature. Understanding who mentors in OSS projects are, the challenges they face, and the strategies they use can help OSS projects better understand and support mentors' work. In this paper, we investigate the OSS mentors' perspectives by employing a two-stage study. First, we understand the characteristics of the mentors in a large OSS community through a large-scale online survey in the Apache Software Foundation. We found that contributors who are volunteers and less experienced are less likely to take on the role of mentoring. Second, we identify the challenges that mentors face and how they mitigate these challenges through interviews with OSS mentors (n=18). In total, we identified 25 general mentorship challenges and 7 sub-categories of challenges regarding task recommendation. We also identified 13 strategies to overcome these challenges. Our results provide insights for OSS communities, formal mentorship programs like Outreachy, and tool builders who design automated support for task assignment and internship.

Success of Open Source in Developing Countries

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Amrollahi ◽  
Mohammad Khansari ◽  
Amir Manian
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Software Development ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
The Social ◽  
Using Data

Open Source approach has been recognized as one of the best methods for software development in developing countries. Previous research however underemphasized different aspects of Open Source Software (OSS) success in context of developing countries compared to western context. In this research the authors use exploratory mixed methodology to study measures of and factors affecting OSS success with emphasize on the social and cultural context of Iran. In the qualitative section of the research 13 interviews with experts of the field have been conducted and the result is reflected in the research model. In the quantitative section, five research hypotheses have been evaluated by using data of 109 Iranian projects from sourceforge.net repository. The results indicate that the license type and use of project management tools may affect the success of OSS. The authors finally conclude that OSS research especially in the field of OSS success may lead to different findings in different contexts.

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.

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.

The Impact of AIS Usage on AIS Effectiveness Among Jordanian SMEs: A Multi-group Analysis of the Role of Firm Size

2020 ◽  
pp. 097215092096507
Author(s):  
Abdalwali Lutfi ◽  
Manaf Al-Okaily ◽  
Adi Alsyouf ◽  
Abdallah Alsaad ◽  
Abdallah Taamneh
Keyword(s):  
Firm Size ◽  
Group Analysis ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Accounting Information System ◽  
Resource Based View ◽  
It Usage ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire

In this research, we look at the antecedents of accounting information system (AIS) usage and their impact on the effectiveness of AIS. Therefore, drawing upon the resource-based view (RBV) and the technology–organization–environment (TOE) framework, we propose an integrated model to investigate the precursors and impacts of AIS utilization among Jordanian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The model so proposed incorporates the usage of AIS and its performance aspects into one framework. The current research utilized a self-administered questionnaire survey to collect data. Using data drawn from 186 respondents, the research model was verified empirically in the context of Jordanian SMEs. The findings revealed that compatibility, competitive pressure, organizational readiness, the commitment of the owners/managers and government supports have exerted a significant influence on the usage of AIS. In addition, the results demonstrated that AIS usage significantly influenced the effectiveness of AIS. In addition, firm size moderated the effect of AIS usage on AIS effectiveness. The findings of the current study afford insights as to how firms might garner improved usage of an AIS to gain better firm performance and provide contributions to the small but developing stream of research examining both antecedents and impacts of IS/IT usage.

The context and state of open source software adoption in US academic libraries

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 641-659
Author(s):  
Namjoo Choi ◽  
Joseph A. Pruett
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Chief Information Officers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Software Adoption ◽  
Current State ◽  
Funding Agencies ◽  
Low Levels

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify barriers and drivers to open source software (OSS) adoption, and measures awareness and adoption stages of OSS in US academic libraries. Design/methodology/approach An online survey of chief information officers, chief technology officers or heads for IT in US academic libraries was conducted. A total number of 179 responses were used for data analysis. Findings From the survey, the authors identify significant barriers and drivers that US academic libraries may consider before adopting OSS and found that awareness itself is not a barrier. While about half of respondents confirmed using OSS, the authors found surprisingly low levels of intent to adopt from current non-adopters. Practical implications This research offers insights for promoting OSS adoption. Also, it provides funding agencies and administrators with guidelines to encourage successful deployment of OSS in higher education. Originality/value While extant research is mostly anecdotal, this research draws from an online survey to snap-shot the current state of OSS adoption in US academic libraries and provides a baseline for practice and research.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document