Carrots and rainbows: motivation and social practice in open source software development

摘要: Open source software (OSS) is a social and economic phenomenon that raises fundamental questions about the motivations of contributors to information systems development. Some developers are unpaid volunteers who seek solve their own technical problems, while others create OSS as part employment contract. For past 10 years, substantial amount academic work has theorized empirically examined developer motivations. We review this suggest considering motivation in terms values practice which participate. Based on philosophy Alasdair MacIntyre, we construct theoretical framework expands our assumptions individual include idea long-term, value-informed quest beyond short-term rewards. This motivation-practice depicts how its supporting institutions mediate between outcome. The contains three conjectures explain collectively elaborated standards excellence prompt produce high-quality software, change institutions, sustain From framework, derive six concrete propositions new research agenda OSS.