Democratizing Business Software: Small Business Ecosystems for Open Source Applications
TL;DR: This study shows how new networks of commercial and semi-commercial players, particularly small businesses, are combining their efforts to create viable business ecosystems around successful open source business applications.
Abstract: Open source has democratized software innovation to an unprecedented degree, but doubts persist as to whether democratized innovation can extend to business applications, where individual developers are not the end users. We report on a new kind of ecosystem around extensions to open source business applications, and examine the types of contributors and contributions relative to previous open source research. Our results show a surprising presence of small businesses, particularly consultants and freelance developers. These smaller firms bridge an important gap between lead users and producers, contributing disproportionately to new back-end and integration features. This study shows how new networks of commercial and semi-commercial players, particularly small businesses, are combining their efforts to create viable business ecosystems around successful open source business applications.
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Journal Article•
2,366 citations
Dissertation•
01 Apr 2016
TL;DR: How sensitive information in organizations can be handled and protected during migrations is suggested, by using the migration from proprietary software to open source software to develop a management framework that can be used to manage such a migration process.
Abstract: Software migrations are mostly performed by organizations using migration teams. Such migration teams need to be aware of how sensitive information ought to be handled and protected during the implementation of the migration projects. There is a need to ensure that sensitive information is identified, classified and protected during the migration process. This paper suggests how sensitive information in organizations can be handled and protected during migrations, by using the migration from proprietary software to open source software to develop a management framework that can be used to manage such a migration process. The research used a sequential explanatory mixed methods case study to propose a management framework on information sensitivity during software migrations.
8 citations
02 Nov 2020
TL;DR: Free/Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS) developers often make a single contribution to a project and then no more, making project management difficult.
Abstract: Free/Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS) developers often make a single contribution to a project and then no more, making project management difficult. To improve understanding around why developers leave, this work explores the relationship between FLOSS developer motivations and their attitudes and behavior related to projects. In particular, we add insight to the current understanding of these issues by proposing single- and double-loop learning as intervening mechanisms that connect developer motivations to outcomes and thereby help clarify when developer motivations have negative and positive impacts for the project. We test our hypotheses in a sample of 132 FLOSS developers. We find that intrinsic motivations (motivation to learn) and social motivations (motivation to collaborate) positively influence single- and double-loop learning while extrinsic motivations negatively impact both types of learning. We further find that single- and double-loop learning have differential impacts on contribution to the focal project and other projects. While single-loop learning is associated with lower turnover intentions, double-loop learning is associated with higher turnover intentions. Implications of our findings for research and management are provided in the discussion.
6 citations
TL;DR: This research uses the grounded theory approach to derive a Phase-Role-Skill-Responsibility PRSR OSSD process model that contributes to the software development literature as well as open source practice.
Abstract: The global open source movement has provided software users with more choices, lower software acquisition cost, more flexible software customization, and possibly higher quality software product. Although the development of open source software is dynamic and it encourages innovations, the process can be chaotic and involve members around the globe. An Open Source Software Development OSSD process model to enhance the survivability of OSSD projects is needed. This research uses the grounded theory approach to derive a Phase-Role-Skill-Responsibility PRSR OSSD process model. The three OSSD process phases --Launch Stage, Before the First Release, and Between Releases --address the characteristics of the OSSD process as well as factors that influence the OSSD process. In the PRSR model, different roles/actors are required to have different skills and responsibilities corresponding to each of the three OSSD process phases. This qualitative research contributes to the software development literature as well as open source practice.
6 citations
Cites background from "Democratizing Business Software: Sm..."
...…that it could improve software product quality, encourage software evolution and innovation, and enhance business values (Mehra and Mookerjee, 2012; Allen, 2012; Shaikh and Cornford, 2012; Chengalur-Smith, Nevo and Demertzoglou, 2010; Amrit, 2009; Raymond, 2001; O’Reilly, 1999; Long and Siau 2005,…...
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01 Jan 2019
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors conducted interviews with third-party and core developers in the security and privacy domain from Firefox and Chrome, and found that the majority of developers with extrinsic motivations assess platform coring negatively, while developers with intrinsic motivations perceive coring positively.
Abstract: Modern browsers are digital software platforms, as they allow third parties to extend functionality by providing extensions. In a highly competitive environment, differentiation through provided functionality is a key factor for browser platforms. As the development of browsers progress, new functions are constantly being released. Browsers could thus enter complementary markets by adding functionality previously provided by third-party extensions, which is referred to as ‘platform coring’. Previous studies have missed the perspective of the parties involved. To address this gap, we conducted interviews with third-party and core developers in the security and privacy domain from Firefox and Chrome. This study provides three contributions. First, insights into stakeholder-specific issues concerning coring. Second, measures to prevent coring. Third, strategical guidance for developers and owners. Third-party vendors experienced and core developers confirmed that coring occurs on browser platforms. While developers with extrinsic motivations assess coring negatively, developers with intrinsic motivations perceive coring positively.
5 citations
Cites background from "Democratizing Business Software: Sm..."
...Unlike proprietary contributors, open-source ones do not expect a direct return on their investment (Allen 2012)....
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...External contributions constitute an important part of the platform’s functionality (Allen 2012)....
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References
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Book•
01 Mar 2003TL;DR: Open Innovation: The New Imperative for Creating and Profiting From Technology as discussed by the authors is a book by Henry Chesbrough, which discusses the importance of open innovation for creating and profiting from technology.
Abstract: The article reviews the book “Open Innovation: The New Imperative for Creating and Profiting From Technology,” by Henry Chesbrough.
8,644 citations
Book•
01 Jan 1998
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a review of the state-of-the-art in the field of qualitative research, focusing on the state of the art and the future.
Abstract: PART ONE: FRAMEWORK Guide to this Book Qualitative Research: Why And How to Do It Qualitative and Quantitative Research Approaches to Qualitative Research Ethics of Qualitative Research PART TWO: THEORY IN QUALITATIVE RESEARCH Using the Existing Literature Theories Underlying Qualitative Research Texts as Data in Qualitative Research PART THREE: RESEARCH DESIGN Designing Qualitative Research The Qualitative Research Process Research Questions Entering the Field Sampling Triangulation PART FOUR: VERBAL DATA Collecting Verbal Data Interviews Focus Groups Using Narrative Data PART FIVE: DATA BEYOND TALK Collecting Data Beyond Talk Observation and Ethnography Visual Data: Photography, Film & Video Using Documents as Data PART SIX: QUALITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS Qualitative Data Analysis Transcription and Data Management Grounded Theory Coding Thematic Coding and Content Analysis Naturally Occuring Data: Conversation, Discourse, and Hermeneutic Analysis Using Software in Qualitative Data Analysis PART SEVEN: GROUNDING, WRITING AND OUTLOOK Quality of Qualitative Research: Criteria and Beyond Writing Qualitative Research State of the Art and the Future
8,605 citations
TL;DR: How lead users can be systematically identified, and how lead user percepts can be statistically identified, are explored.
Abstract: Accurate marketing research depends on accurate user judgments regarding their needs. However, for very novel products or in product categories characterized by rapid change—such as “high technology” products—most potential users will not have the real-world experience needed to problem solve and provide accurate data to inquiring market researchers. In this paper I explore the problem and propose a solution: Marketing research analyses which focus on what I term the “lead users” of a product or process. Lead users are users whose present strong needs will become general in a marketplace months or years in the future. Since lead users are familiar with conditions which lie in the future for most others, they can serve as a need-forecasting laboratory for marketing research. Moreover, since lead users often attempt to fill the need they experience, they can provide new product concept and design data as well. In this paper I explore how lead users can be systematically identified, and how lead user percept...
4,604 citations
01 Jan 2004
TL;DR: This paper explored the development of information systems and computer ethics along separate trajectories over the 20 years since the first Manchester Conference, and pondered how things might have been and could be different.
Abstract: This paper explores the development of information systems and computer ethics along separate trajectories over the 20 years since the first Manchester Conference, and ponders how things might have been and could be different. Along each trajectory, the challenge of aligning theory and practice has stimulated much research. We evaluate some of this research with respect to this alignment, discuss ethical theories and behavior, and explore the role of education in the development of practitioners who can and do behave ethically. We recommend the inclusion of the ethics of care, and more research into the teaching and learning of ethics as part of the personal journey of students, teachers, and practitioners.
3,361 citations
Book•
01 Dec 2006
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate how small businesses can achieve success by using a dynamic ecosystem of partners to co-create and peer-produce value in a newly emerging, networked economy.
Abstract: The knowledge, resources, and computing power of billions of people are self-organizing into a massive new collective force. Interconnected and orchestrated through blogs, wikis, chat rooms, peer-to-peer networks, and personal broadcasting, the Web is being reinvented to provide the first global platform for collaboration in history. "Wikinomics" is the definitive investigation into how small businesses can achieve success by using a dynamic ecosystem of partners to co-create and peer-produce value in this newly-emerging, networked economy. Encouraging consumers, employees, suppliers, partners and competitors alike to share information and ideas, mass collaboration marks a profound change in the way business is conducted and radically alters the future of corporate architecture, strategy and management.
3,188 citations