[Sigiii-l] Fw: [CITASA] introducing opensource.mit.edu and new working papers

Sat Sep 27 13:11:12 EDT 2003

This resource can be useful to recollect some ideas about freesoftware and
opensource from academical standpoints.
cheers

gianluca

----- Original Message -----
From: "Karim R. Lakhani" <lakhani at MIT.EDU>
To: <citasa at MIT.EDU>
Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2003 12:48 PM
Subject: [CITASA] introducing opensource.mit.edu and new working papers

> Hello citasa'ers!
>
> I wanted to let you know of an online resource dedicated to studying
> various aspects of free and open source software (F/OSS) development and
> communities: http://opensource.mit.edu or if you prefer
> http://freesoftware.mit.edu.
>
> The website serves as clearinghouse for the latest research and working
> papers on F/OSS - from a variety of academic perspectives.  We now have
> over 120 papers.  We also have an online directory of researchers and a
> moderate traffic mail list.
>
> Look forward to seeing some of you there.  I will post announcement of
> new papers on this list to keep y'all updated on whats new in the world
> of F/OSS.  As an example I have included the abstracts of 7 latest
> working papers posted to the site.
>
> Best regards,
>
>
> Karim
>
> Paper 1
> Authors:
> Casadesus-Masanell, Ramon & Pankag Ghemawat
> Title:
> Dynamic Mixed Duopoly: A Model Motivated by Linux vs. Windows
> http://opensource.mit.edu/papers/masanellghemawat.pdf
> Abstract:
> This paper analyzes a dynamic mixed duopoly in which a profit-maximizing
> competitor interacts with a competitor that prices at zero (or marginal
> cost), with the cumulation of output affecting their relative positions
> over time. The modeling effort is motivated by interactions between
> Linux, an open-source operating system, and Microsofts Windows in the
> computer server segment, and consequently emphasizes demand-side
> learning effects that generate dynamic scale economies (or network
> externalities). Analytical characterizations of the equilibrium under
> such conditions are offered, and some comparative static and welfare
> effects are examined.
>
> **********************************************
> Paper 2
> Authors:
> Demil, Benoit & Xavier Lecocq
> Title:
> Neither market or hierarchy or network: The emerging bazaar governance
> http://opensource.mit.edu/papers/demillecocq.pdf
> Abstract
> Despite the growing body of literature describing the open-source
> phenomenon, few contributions have been theoretically grounded and
> research has largely focused on the software industry. Drawing on
> transaction cost economics, we go beyond these limitations and advance
> that open source constitutes a new generic governance structure—which we
> label bazaar governance— based on a specific contract. We characterize
> this structure in terms of its strengths and weaknesses and in
> comparison with market, firm and network structures. We consider how
> bazaar governance is actualized within an industry and the institutional
> entrepreneur’s crucial role in this process. Finally, we propose that
> bazaar governance has a profound impact on the structure of the industry
> in which it is introduced.
>
> *********************************************************************
> Paper 3
> Authors:
> González-Barahona, Jesús M & Gregorio Robles
> Title:
> Free software engineering: A field to explore
> http://opensource.mit.edu/papers/barahonarobles.pdf
> Abstract:
> The challenge of free software is not that of a new competitor who,
> under the same rules, produces software faster, cheaper and of a better
> quality. Free software differs from "traditional" software in more
> fundamental aspects, starting with philosophical reasons and
> motivations, continuing with new economic and market rules and ending up
> with a different way of producing software. Software Engineering cannot
> ignore this phenomenon, and the last five years or so has seen ever more
> research into all these issues. This article takes a look at the most
> significant studies in this field and the results they are producing,
> with a view to providing the reader with a vision of the state of the
> art and the future prospects of what we have come to call free Software
> Engineering.
> *************************************************************
> Paper 4
> Authors:
> Lakhani, Karim R & Bob Wolf
> Title:
> Why Hackers Do What They Do: Understanding Motivation and Effort in
> Free/Open Source Software Projects
> http://opensource.mit.edu/papers/lakhaniwolf.pdf
> Abstract:
> In this paper we report on the results of a study of the effort and
> motivations of individuals to contributing to the creation of Free/Open
> Source software. We surveyed 684 software developers in 287 F/OSS
> projects, to learn what lies behind the effort put into such projects.
> Academic theorizing on individual motivations for participating in F/OSS
> projects has posited that external motivational factors in the form of
> extrinsic benefits are the main drivers of effort. We find in contrast,
> that enjoyment-based intrinsic motivation, namely how creative a person
> feels when working on the project, is the strongest and most pervasive
> driver. We also find that user need, intellectual stimulation derived
> from writing code, and improving programming skills are top motivators
> for project participation.
> ***************************************************
> Paper 5
> Authors:
> Stewart, Katherine J & Sanjay Gosain
> Title:
> Impacts of ideology, trust, and communication on effectivness in open
> source software development teams
> http://opensource.mit.edu/papers/stewartgosain.pdf
> Abstract:
> This paper develops a framework of the OSS ideology (including specific
> norms, beliefs, and values) and a theoretical model to show how
> components of the ideology, combined with trust and communication,
> impact effectiveness in OSS teams. The research model proposes distinct
> roles for affective trust, cognitive trust, social communication, and
> task communication as determinants of OSS team effectiveness. The
> results suggest that in order for OSS projects to grow into the kind of
> large successes that prior work has studied, the teams that work on them
> should foster the norms and values of the larger community and maintain
> consistent task communication to develop cognitive trust among members.
> ************************************************************************
> Authors:
> van Reijswoud, Victor & Corrado Topi
> Title:
> Alternative Routes in the Digital World: Open Source Software in Africa
> http://opensource.mit.edu/papers/reijswoudtopi.pdf
> Abstract:
> Software allows people to work with computers. Operating Software
> controls the hardware components and application software provide tools
> to facilitate and support the users' work. Most of the softwares are
> owned by private people or companies and users by licenses to use the
> software. This type of software is called proprietary or closed source
> software since the user purchases a license for using the product and
> the actual product (source code). At present Microsoft and Oracle are
> the biggest producers of this type software in the world. In the two
> decades a new approach for software development is emerging. Open Source
> Software movement is built on the premise that better software is
> produced when everyone is allowed to modify and change the software. So,
> in stead of selling user licenses, the product (source code) is
> distributed. The article discusses the differences between Open and
> Closed Source Software and reasons that organizations in the African
> context should decide to embrace the Open Source Software initiative.
> Several emerging initiatives promoting the use of Open Source Software
> are considered.
> **********************************************************************
> Paper 7
> Author
> Barnes, Jonathan
> Title:
> Open Source Software as an organisational Technology
> http://opensource.mit.edu/papers/barnes.pdf
> Abstract:
> This paper is still relatively preliminary, yet it provides a decent
> introduction to open source, as well as including discussion on various
> economic issues, contained in the following sections: The benefits of
> Open Source, Possible incentives that encourage contribution, Barriers
> to widespread implementation of Open Source.
>
> --
> ===============================================
> Karim R. Lakhani
> MIT Sloan School of Management
> &
> The Boston Consulting Group, Strategy Practice Initiative
> e-mail: karim.lakhani at sloan.mit.edu | lakhani.karim at bcg.com
> voice:  617-851-1224
> fax:    617-344-0403
> http://spoudaiospaizen.net/
> http://opensource.mit.edu | http://freesoftware.mit.edu
> http://userinnovation.mit.edu
>
>
>
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