Mobilization of software developers: the free software movement
Abstract
Purpose
The paper has three purposes: the first is to provide a deeper understanding of the ideology and work practices of free and open source software development, the second to characterize the free software movement as a new type of computerization movement and the third to present a conceptual diagram and framework with an analysis showing how the free software computerization movement has evolved into an occupational community.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative data were collected over a four year period using a virtual ethnography in a study of free and open source software development and, in particular, a study of a free software community, GNUenterprise, located at www.gnuenterprise.org, which has the goal of developing a free enterprise resource planning software system.
Findings
It is concluded that the ideology of the free software movement continues to be one of the factors which mobilize people to contribute to free and open source software development. This movement represents a new type of computerization movement which promotes the investment of time in learning a new software development process instead of investment of money in the acquisition and use of new technology.
Research limitations/implications
The research findings are limited by a detailed study of only one free software development project.
Practical implications
This paper is of significance to software developers and managers of firms who wish to incorporate free and open source software into their companies.
Originality/value
This research presents an original conceptual diagram and framework for how computerization movements have emerged into an occupational community.
Keywords
Citation
Elliott, M.S. and Scacchi, W. (2008), "Mobilization of software developers: the free software movement", Information Technology & People, Vol. 21 No. 1, pp. 4-33. https://doi.org/10.1108/09593840810860315
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited