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Problems, Solutions, and Success Factors in the openMDM User‐Led Open Source Consortium

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Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Yenişen Yavuz, Elçin, Barcomb, Ann, University of Calgary, Riehle, Dirk, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg·2022·Communications of the Association for Information Systems
DOI 10.17705/1cais.05122
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Abstract

Open-source software (OSS) development offers organizations an alternative to purchasing proprietary software or commissioning custom software. In one form of OSS development, organizations develop the software they need in collaboration with other organizations. If the software is used by the organizations to operate their business, such collaborations can lead to what we call “user-led open-source consortia” or “user-led OSS consortia”. Although this concept is not new, there have been few studies of user-led OSS consortia. The studies that examined user-led OSS consortia did so through the lens of OSS, but not from the inter-company collaboration perspective. User-led OSS consortia are a distinct phenomenon that share elements of inter-company collaboration, outsourcing software development, and vendor-led OSS development and cannot be understood by using only a single lens. To close this gap, we present problems and solutions in inter-company collaboration, outsourcing, and OSS literature, and present the results of a single-case study. We focus on problems in the early phases of a user-led open-source consortium, the openMDM consortium, and the solutions applied to these problems. Furthermore, we present the factors which lead this consortium to sustained growth.

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Authors
Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Yenişen Yavuz, E., Barcomb, A., University of Calgary, Riehle, D., & Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg
Affiliations
  • University of Calgary (CA)
  • Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (DE)
ORCID
Venue
Communications of the Association for Information Systems
Publisher
Association for Information Systems
Published
2022
Volume
51
Issue
1
Pages
509-542
ISSN
1529-3181 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.17705/1cais.05122
OpenAlex
W4312784852
Cited by
5
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1
FWCI
0.77
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Communications of the Association for Information Systems (publishedVersion)
  • Journal of the Association for Information Systems (submittedVersion)
Funders
Mozilla Foundation
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Science Applications › Open Source Software Innovations
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › Software Engineering Techniques and Practices
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Strategy and Management › Digital Platforms and Economics
Keywords
open source software development, inter-firm cooperation, software outsourcing, success factors

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