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From a Firm-Based to a Community-Based Model of Knowledge Creation: The Case of the Linux Kernel Development

Author

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  • Gwendolyn K. Lee

    (INSEAD, 1 Ayer Rajah Avenue, Singapore 138676)

  • Robert E. Cole

    (Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan; and Haas School of Business, and Department of Sociology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720-1900)

Abstract

We propose a new model of knowledge creation in purposeful, loosely coordinated, distributed systems, as an alternative to a firm-based one. Specifically, using the case of the Linux kernel development project, we build a model of community-based, evolutionary knowledge creation to study how thousands of talented volunteers, dispersed across organizational and geographical boundaries, collaborate via the Internet to produce a knowledge-intensive, innovative product of high quality. By comparing and contrasting the Linux model with the traditional/commercial model of software development and firmbased knowledge creation efforts, we show how the proposed model of knowledge creation expands beyond the boundary of the firm. Our model suggests that the product development process can be effectively organized as an evolutionary process of learning driven by criticism and error correction. We conclude by offering some theoretical implications of our community-based model of knowledge creation for the literature of organizational learning, community life, and the uses of knowledge in society.

Suggested Citation

  • Gwendolyn K. Lee & Robert E. Cole, 2003. "From a Firm-Based to a Community-Based Model of Knowledge Creation: The Case of the Linux Kernel Development," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 14(6), pages 633-649, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ororsc:v:14:y:2003:i:6:p:633-649
    DOI: 10.1287/orsc.14.6.633.24866
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    4. Gauguier, Jean-Jacques, 2009. "L’industrialisation de l’Open Source," Economics Thesis from University Paris Dauphine, Paris Dauphine University, number 123456789/4388 edited by Toledano, Joëlle.
    5. Zhao, Sesia J. & Zhang, Kem Z.K. & Wagner, Christian & Chen, Huaping, 2013. "Investigating the determinants of contribution value in Wikipedia," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 33(1), pages 83-92.
    6. Rashid, Mehvish & Clarke, Paul M. & O’Connor, Rory V., 2019. "A systematic examination of knowledge loss in open source software projects," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 104-123.
    7. Pereira, Joana & Tavalaei, M. Mahdi & Ozalp, Hakan, 2019. "Blockchain-based platforms: Decentralized infrastructures and its boundary conditions," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 94-102.
    8. Smirnova, Inna & Reitzig, Markus & Alexy, Oliver, 2022. "What makes the right OSS contributor tick? Treatments to motivate high-skilled developers," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(1).
    9. Rullani, Francesco & Haefliger, Stefan, 2013. "The periphery on stage: The intra-organizational dynamics in online communities of creation," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(4), pages 941-953.
    10. Linus Dahlander & Siobhan O'Mahony, 2011. "Progressing to the Center: Coordinating Project Work," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 22(4), pages 961-979, August.
    11. Dahlander, Linus & Magnusson, Mats G., 2005. "Relationships between open source software companies and communities: Observations from Nordic firms," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(4), pages 481-493, May.
    12. George Kuk, 2006. "Strategic Interaction and Knowledge Sharing in the KDE Developer Mailing List," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 52(7), pages 1031-1042, July.
    13. Acquier, Aurélien & Daudigeos, Thibault & Pinkse, Jonatan, 2017. "Promises and paradoxes of the sharing economy: An organizing framework," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 1-10.
    14. Krishnamurthy, Sandeep & Ou, Shaosong & Tripathi, Arvind K., 2014. "Acceptance of monetary rewards in open source software development," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 43(4), pages 632-644.
    15. Hanisch, Marvin & Goldsby, Curtis M. & Fabian, Nicolai E. & Oehmichen, Jana, 2023. "Digital governance: A conceptual framework and research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    16. Kim, Hyung Jin & Kim, Inchan & Lee, Hogeun, 2016. "Third-party mobile app developers’ continued participation in platform-centric ecosystems: An empirical investigation of two different mechanisms," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 36(1), pages 44-59.
    17. Esterhuizen, D. & Schutte, C.S.L. & du Toit, A.S.A., 2012. "Knowledge creation processes as critical enablers for innovation," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 354-364.
    18. David M. Waguespack & Lee Fleming, 2009. "Scanning the Commons? Evidence on the Benefits to Startups Participating in Open Standards Development," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 55(2), pages 210-223, February.
    19. Jong, Simcha & Slavova, Kremena, 2014. "When publications lead to products: The open science conundrum in new product development," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 43(4), pages 645-654.
    20. Eric Buffenoir & Isabelle Bourdon, 2012. "Reconciling complex organizations and data management," Working Papers hal-00744410, HAL.
    21. Bojana Jokanović & Nikola Zivlak & Andrea Okanović & Jelena Ćulibrk & Ljubica Duđak, 2020. "The Model of Knowledge Management Based on Organizational Climate," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-22, April.
    22. Afaf Jghamou & Aziz Maziri & El Hassan Mallil & Jamal Echaabi, 2022. "SECI Model Combined with ISO 9001 2015 to Support Organizational KM for Manual Assembly Manufacturing Operations," International Journal of Knowledge Management (IJKM), IGI Global, vol. 18(1), pages 1-21, January.
    23. Dahlander, Linus & Wallin, Martin W., 2006. "A man on the inside: Unlocking communities as complementary assets," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(8), pages 1243-1259, October.
    24. Haefliger, Stefan & Jäger, Peter & von Krogh, Georg, 2010. "Under the radar: Industry entry by user entrepreneurs," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(9), pages 1198-1213, November.
    25. Lerner, Jürgen & Kenis, Patrick & Raaij, Denise van & Brandes, Ulrik, 2011. "Will they stay or will they go? How network properties of WebICs predict dropout rates of valuable Wikipedians," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 29(5), pages 404-413.

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