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The Role of Social Networks in the Success of Open Source Systems: A Theoretical Framework and an Empirical Investigation

Wang, Jing
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1180640710

Abstract Details

2007, PHD, Kent State University, College of Business and Entrepreneurship, Ambassador Crawford / Department of Management and Information Systems.
Open Source Software (OSS) plays an increasingly important role in the social and economic development of countries, corporations, and individuals. Thus, it is important to understand the elements that affect OSS success. But, little is known on why certain projects succeed while others fail. Here, we draw on research in social network theory, and advance a conceptual model for project success in OSS systems. The current literature is dominated by a view that conceptualizes OSS projects as independent entities. This is inadequate in addressing issues related to the OSS, where each project is embedded in networks of relationships with other projects. Such relationship networks can be enduring and of strategic importance for OSS projects. We argue that the success of an OSS project can be more fully understood by adopting a network, rather than an independent, approach. Our model conceptualizes an OSS project as existing in a larger network of many related projects and identifies measurable network structures that are likely to distinguish successful OSS projects from less successful ones. We empirically evaluate the proposed model by analyzing panels of data from the world’s largest OSS development data repository, sourceforge.net.
Murali Shanker (Advisor)
169 p.
Business Administration, General
Open-source; Social Networks; Software Success

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Wang, J. (2007). The Role of Social Networks in the Success of Open Source Systems: A Theoretical Framework and an Empirical Investigation [Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1180640710

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Wang, Jing. The Role of Social Networks in the Success of Open Source Systems: A Theoretical Framework and an Empirical Investigation. 2007. Kent State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1180640710.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Wang, Jing. "The Role of Social Networks in the Success of Open Source Systems: A Theoretical Framework and an Empirical Investigation." Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1180640710

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1180640710
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© 2007, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.