Control vs freedom: How companies manage knowledge sharing with open source software communities

Juliane Wissel, Michael Zaggl, Aron Lindberg

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Knowledge sharing is essential for successful collaboration between companies and external communities. We lack knowledge regarding the micro-processes companies deliberately introduce to manage knowledge sharing with such outside parties. We research these processes in the context of collaboration between companies and open source software (OSS) communities by posing the question: How do companies design explicit mechanisms to manage knowledge exchange with OSS communities? We conduct an explorative case study at Siemens AG. Siemens introduced a formal template process which can be adapted by the organizational units according to their demands. Results show that the extent to which the process is implemented depends on the level of closeness to core intellectual property of the organizational unit and the intensity of the involvement in OSS communities. Developers use several methods to shortcut the process. Our study contributes to the literature on organizational knowledge sharing, company-involved OSS development, and open innovation of firms.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 53rd Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, HICSS 2020
EditorsTung X. Bui
Pages4898-4906
Number of pages9
ISBN (Electronic)9780998133133
StatePublished - 2020
Event53rd Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, HICSS 2020 - Maui, United States
Duration: 7 Jan 202010 Jan 2020

Publication series

NameProceedings of the Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences
Volume2020-January
ISSN (Print)1530-1605

Conference

Conference53rd Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, HICSS 2020
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityMaui
Period7/01/2010/01/20

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