 Free and open source software (FOSS) as a vehicle for human development in Egypt: some evidence and insightsNagla Rizk International Journal of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development, 2012, vol. 5, issue 3, 221-236 Abstract: This paper is based on the hypothesis that free and open source software (FOSS) has a developmental potential in Egypt as it relies on a democratising technology and a collaborative liberalising knowledge production model that encourages smaller business structures rather than proprietary conglomerates. This hypothesis is tested through in-depth interviews with stakeholders. Fieldwork reveals a strong potential for FOSS, particularly towards enhancing different layers of human capital. As FOSS in Egypt is at its infancy stage, its developmental potential is stunted as market forces point towards reinforcing larger proprietary software models at the expense of smaller FOSS-based businesses. This is compounded by limited political will, lack of awareness and absence of FOSS from educational curricula, all of which pose additional challenges. This paper provides recommendations for action in the short and long-terms to promote FOSS as a vehicle for Egypt's development. Keywords: free software; open source software; FOSS; OSS; information technology; democratising technologies; knowledge liberalisation; human development; human capital; Egypt. (search for similar items in EconPapers) Downloads: (external link) Related works: Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ids:ijtlid:v:5:y:2012:i:3:p:221-236 Access Statistics for this article More articles in International Journal of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development from Inderscience Enterprises Ltd |
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