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A topology of groups: What GitHub can tell us about online collaboration

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  • Zöller, Nikolas
  • Morgan, Jonathan H.
  • Schröder, Tobias

Abstract

In this work, we study the collaboration patterns of open source software projects on GitHub by analyzing the pull request submissions and acceptances of repositories. We develop a group typology based on the structural properties of the corresponding directed graphs, and analyze how the topology is connected to the repositorys collective identity, hierarchy, productivity, popularity, resilience and stability. These analyses indicate significant differences between group types and thereby provide valuable insights on how to effectively organize collaborative software development. Identifying the mechanisms that underlie self-organized collaboration on digital platforms is important not just to better understand open source software development but also all other decentralized and digital work environments, a setting widely regarded as a key feature of the future work place.

Suggested Citation

  • Zöller, Nikolas & Morgan, Jonathan H. & Schröder, Tobias, 2020. "A topology of groups: What GitHub can tell us about online collaboration," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:161:y:2020:i:c:s0040162520311173
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120291
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    Cited by:

    1. Nikolas Zöller & Jonathan H. Morgan & Tobias Schröder, 2021. "Modeling Interaction in Collaborative Groups: Affect Control Within Social Structure," Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, vol. 24(4), pages 1-6.
    2. Jasmin Luthardt & Jonathan Howard Morgan & Inka Bormann & Tobias Schröder, 2022. "Quantifying emotionally grounded discursive knowledge with cognitive-affective maps," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 56(3), pages 1557-1595, June.

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