Understanding Community Reactions to Change - The “Exit, Voice and Loyalty” Model Applied to Open Source Contributors

In recent years, notable open source projects such as Elasticsearch and Linux Foundation have faced backlash from their contributor communities due to significant changes in business models and governance structures. This paper examines the implications of such disruptions on the projects' sustainability and business operations. The transition of Elasticsearch to a dual license system and the alterations in governance rules by the Linux Foundation prompted heated debates and expressions of discontent within the contributor base. These instances underscore the intricate dynamics between stakeholders in open source projects and necessitate a deeper understanding of the consequences for software producers. Drawing on Charleux and Mione's (2018) taxonomy, which delineates four distinct business model modes ranging from engagement to optimization, we analyze how changes in business model parameters can elicit various responses from the community. We argue that the alignment of stakeholders' interests is crucial for the success of open source projects, and conflicts arising from diverging interests can jeopardize the project's viability. Utilizing Hirschman's (1970) framework of exit, voice, and loyalty, we explore the range of actions taken by contributors in response to business model changes. Through a comprehensive case study analysis spanning over two decades, we investigate the relationship between business model changes and community responses, shedding light on the intricate interplay between software producers and contributors. Our findings contribute to the existing literature on business model evolution and offer insights into adapting Hirschman's framework to the open-source domain.