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Following the Code: Spillovers and Knowledge Transfer

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  • Gandal, Neil
  • Stettner, Uriel
  • Naftaliev, Peter

Abstract

It is believed that there are significant knowledge spillovers in Open Source Software (OSS). If such spillovers exist, it is likely they occur via two channels: In the first channel, programmers take knowledge, expertise, and experience gained from one OSS project they work on and employ it in another OSS project they work on. In the second, programmers reuse software code by taking code from one OSS project and employing it in another OSS project. In previous work, we found knowledge spillovers via the first channel. In this paper we develop a methodology to measure software reuse at the micro-micro level in a large OSS network. We find that projects that reuse code from other projects have higher success. Controlling for code reuse, we also find knowledge spillovers from projects connected via common programmers. Thus, our empirical work suggests that knowledge spillovers occur via both channels.

Suggested Citation

  • Gandal, Neil & Stettner, Uriel & Naftaliev, Peter, 2017. "Following the Code: Spillovers and Knowledge Transfer," CEPR Discussion Papers 11851, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:11851
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gandal, Neil & Stettner, Uriel, 2016. "Network dynamics and knowledge transfer in virtual organisations," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 270-290.
    2. Claussen, Jörg & Falck, Oliver & Grohsjean, Thorsten, 2012. "The strength of direct ties: Evidence from the electronic game industry," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 30(2), pages 223-230.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lee Branstetter & Neil Gandal & Nadav Kuniesky, 2017. "Network-Mediated Knowledge Spillovers: A Cross-Country Comparative Analysis of Information Security Innovations," NBER Working Papers 23808, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

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    Keywords

    Reuse of software code; Knowledge spillovers; Social network; Open source;
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