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A Preliminary Theory for Open Source Ecosystem Micro-economics

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  • Nicolas Jullien

    (LEGO - Laboratoire d'Economie et de Gestion de l'Ouest - UBS - Université de Bretagne Sud - UBO - Université de Brest - IMT - Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris] - IBSHS - Institut Brestois des Sciences de l'Homme et de la Société - UBO - Université de Brest - UBL - Université Bretagne Loire - IMT Atlantique - IMT Atlantique - IMT - Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris], MARSOUIN - Môle Armoricain de Recherche sur la SOciété de l'information et des usages d'INternet - UR - Université de Rennes - UBS - Université de Bretagne Sud - ENSAI - Ecole Nationale de la Statistique et de l'Analyse de l'Information [Bruz] - UBO - Université de Brest - IMT - Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris] - UR2 - Université de Rennes 2 - UBL - Université Bretagne Loire - IMT Atlantique - IMT Atlantique - IMT - Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris], IMT Atlantique - LUSSI - Département Logique des Usages, Sciences sociales et Sciences de l'Information - IMT Atlantique - IMT Atlantique - IMT - Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris])

  • Klaas-Jan Stol

    (UL - University of Limerick)

  • James D Herbsleb

    (Computer Science Department - Carnegie Mellon University - PITT - University of Pittsburgh - Pennsylvania Commonwealth System of Higher Education (PCSHE))

Abstract

While there has been substantial empirical work identifying factors that influence the contribution to, and use of open source software, we have as yet little theory that identifies the key constructs and relationships that would allow us to explain and predict how open source ecosystems function. What is needed is a clearly articulated and empirically validated theory of open source ecosystems. Such a theory should: • Explain why, how, and when key resources---primarily the work of developers---are attracted to or depart from a project or an ecosystem. • Explain why, how, and when projects and ecosystems move through a life cycle, from initiation, growth, maturity, and decline and death. • Explain how decisions about use are made, and how the cumulatively influence the socio-technical position of a project within an ecosystem, and the relations of ecosystems to each other. The remainder of this chapter provides a sketch of such a theory in the form of a set of propositions, which may form the foundation for future empirical work

Suggested Citation

  • Nicolas Jullien & Klaas-Jan Stol & James D Herbsleb, 2019. "A Preliminary Theory for Open Source Ecosystem Micro-economics," Post-Print hal-02127185, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-02127185
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-02127185
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

    Open / free software; ecosystem;

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