Free/Libre open-source software development: What we know and what we do not know

K Crowston, K Wei, J Howison, A Wiggins - ACM Computing Surveys …, 2008 - dl.acm.org
K Crowston, K Wei, J Howison, A Wiggins
ACM Computing Surveys (CSUR), 2008dl.acm.org
We review the empirical research on Free/Libre and Open-Source Software (FLOSS)
development and assess the state of the literature. We develop a framework for organizing
the literature based on the input-mediator-output-input (IMOI) model from the small groups
literature. We present a quantitative summary of articles selected for the review and then
discuss findings of this literature categorized into issues pertaining to inputs (eg, member
characteristics, technology use, and project characteristics), processes (software …
We review the empirical research on Free/Libre and Open-Source Software (FLOSS) development and assess the state of the literature. We develop a framework for organizing the literature based on the input-mediator-output-input (IMOI) model from the small groups literature. We present a quantitative summary of articles selected for the review and then discuss findings of this literature categorized into issues pertaining to inputs (e.g., member characteristics, technology use, and project characteristics), processes (software development practices, social processes, and firm involvement practices), emergent states (e.g., social states and task-related states), and outputs (e.g. team performance, FLOSS implementation, and project evolution). Based on this review, we suggest topics for future research, as well as identify methodological and theoretical issues for future inquiry in this area, including issues relating to sampling and the need for more longitudinal studies.
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