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From Peer Production to Productization: A Study of Socially Enabled Business Exchanges in Open Source Service Networks

Author

Listed:
  • Joseph Feller

    (University College Cork, Cork, Ireland)

  • Patrick Finnegan

    (University College Cork, Cork, Ireland)

  • Brian Fitzgerald

    (LERO, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland)

  • Jeremy Hayes

    (University College Cork, Cork, Ireland)

Abstract

Peer production phenomena such as open source software (OSS) have been posited as a viable alternative to traditional production models. However, community-based development often falls short of creating software “products” in the sense that consumers understand. Our research identifies an emerging business network archetype in the OSS sector, the open source service network (OSSN), which seeks to address the “productization” challenge. To do so, OSSNs must overcome the problems associated with exchanging resources between firms. We demonstrate that OSSNs overcome exchange problems by primarily relying on social, rather than legal, mechanisms; similar to the OSS communities from which they emerged. This is made possible because OSSNs use IT infrastructures that provide high visibility for primary value-creating activities. The research utilizes a multimethod theory-building approach, deriving a model from extant research, refining the model through qualitative case study analysis, and further refining the model through quantitative analysis of survey data. The paper reveals the manifestation of social mechanisms in OSSNs and how these are used for coordinating and safeguarding exchanges between firms. Specifically, we illustrate the primary importance of a shared macroculture (goals and norms) and collective sanctions for punishing firms who violate these goals/norms. Furthermore, our research highlights the interplay between digital and social networks within OSSNs, demonstrating that the use of social mechanisms is inherently dependent upon the underlying IT infrastructure.

Suggested Citation

  • Joseph Feller & Patrick Finnegan & Brian Fitzgerald & Jeremy Hayes, 2008. "From Peer Production to Productization: A Study of Socially Enabled Business Exchanges in Open Source Service Networks," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 19(4), pages 475-493, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:inm:orisre:v:19:y:2008:i:4:p:475-493
    DOI: 10.1287/isre.1080.0207
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Harkonen, Janne & Haapasalo, Harri & Hanninen, Kai, 2015. "Productisation: A review and research agenda," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 65-82.
    2. Brian S. Butler & Xiaoqing Wang, 2012. "The Cross-Purposes of Cross-Posting: Boundary Reshaping Behavior in Online Discussion Communities," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 23(3-part-2), pages 993-1010, September.
    3. Wei, Ruiqi & Wang, Xinchun & Chang, Yu, 2021. "The effects of platform governance mechanisms on customer participation in supplier new product development," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 475-487.
    4. Matt Germonprez & Julie E. Kendall & Kenneth E. Kendall & Lars Mathiassen & Brett Young & Brian Warner, 2017. "A Theory of Responsive Design: A Field Study of Corporate Engagement with Open Source Communities," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 28(1), pages 64-83, March.
    5. Baozhou Lu & Rudy Hirschheim & Andrew Schwarz, 2015. "Examining the antecedent factors of online microsourcing," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 17(3), pages 601-617, June.
    6. Miguel I. Aguirre-Urreta & George M. Marakas, 2014. "Research Note—Partial Least Squares and Models with Formatively Specified Endogenous Constructs: A Cautionary Note," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 25(4), pages 761-778, December.
    7. Janne Harkonen & Harri Haapasalo & Kai Hanninen, 2013. "Productisation: A Literature Review," Diversity, Technology, and Innovation for Operational Competitiveness: Proceedings of the 2013 International Conference on Technology Innovation and Industrial Management,, ToKnowPress.
    8. María Isabel Camio & María Del Carmen Romero & María Belén Álvarez & Alfredo José Rébori, 2018. "Distinctive Innovation Capabilities of Argentine Software Companies with High Innovation Results and Impacts," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-22, April.
    9. Wei Chen & Fujie Jin & Ling Xue, 2022. "Flourish or Perish? The Impact of Technological Acquisitions on Contributions to Open-Source Software," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 33(3), pages 867-886, September.

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