Theorizing modes of open source software development

Aron Lindberg, Xuan Xiao, Kalle Lyytinen

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

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Open Source Software (OSS) development is distributed across actors and artifacts and involves translating diffuse representations into distinct sets of contiguous code artifacts. Despite the highly distributed and dynamic nature of OSS development, it is often described in unitary, monolithic terms - an unfortunate situation which masks considerable variance across OSS development processes. Therefore we explore reasons for systematic variance in these processes so as to enable more effective OSS development practices. Drawing on theory of distributed cognition, we develop a language of cognitive translations, which occur within and across distributed social arrangements and structural conditions of sharing knowledge. This language provides micro-foundations for understanding how different modes of OSS development emerge. Through examining how generative characteristics of social and structural distributions in OSS shape distinct development pathways, we propose a theoretically derived typology explaining the characteristics, dynamics, and conditions for success of different modes of OSS development.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 47th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, HICSS 2014
Pages4568-4577
Number of pages10
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014
Event47th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, HICSS 2014 - Waikoloa, HI, United States
Duration: 6 Jan 20149 Jan 2014

Publication series

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

Conference

Conference47th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, HICSS 2014
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityWaikoloa, HI
Period6/01/149/01/14

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