The Determinants of Output Per Contributor in Open Source Projects: An Empirical Examination

Chaim Fershtman and Neil Gandal

No 4329, CEPR Discussion Papers from Centre for Economic Policy Research

Abstract: Using a unique dataset we examine empirically which factors explain output per contributor in open source projects. We find that the output per contributor of open source programmes is much higher when licenses are less restrictive. Further examination suggests that the difference in output per contributor is in large part due to many more contributors for projects that employ restrictive licenses. The results suggest a status/signaling or ideological motivation for participation in open source projects with restrictive licenses.

Keywords: Open source; Software; Restrictive licenses; Empirical study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D20 L86 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2004-03
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (13)

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