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Algorithmic Interactions in Open Source Work

Author

Listed:
  • Maha Shaikh

    (King’s College London, London WC2R 2LS, United Kingdom)

  • Emmanuelle Vaast

    (Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1G5, Canada)

Abstract

This study focuses on algorithmic interactions in open source work. Algorithms are essential in open source because they remedy concerns incompletely addressed by parallel development or modularity. Following algorithmic interactions in open source allows us to map the performance of algorithms to understand the nature of work conducted by multiple algorithms functioning together. We zoom to the level of algorithmic interactions to show how residual interdependencies of modularity are worked around by algorithms. Moreover, the dependence on parallel development does not suffice to resolve all concerns related to the distributed work of open source. We examine the Linux Kernel case that reveals how algorithmic interactions facilitate open source work through the three processes of managing , organizing , and supervising development work. Our qualitative study theorizes how algorithmic interactions intensify through these processes that work together to facilitate development. We make a theoretical contribution to open source scholarship by explaining how algorithmic interactions navigate across module rigidity and enhance parallel development. Our work also reveals how, in open source, developers work to automate most tasks and augmentation is a bidirectional relationship of algorithms augmenting the work of developers and of developers augmenting the work of algorithms.

Suggested Citation

  • Maha Shaikh & Emmanuelle Vaast, 2023. "Algorithmic Interactions in Open Source Work," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 34(2), pages 744-765, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orisre:v:34:y:2023:i:2:p:744-765
    DOI: 10.1287/isre.2022.1153
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