Bug-Fixing and Code-Writing: The Private Provision of Open Source Software

Jürgen Bitzer and Philipp Schröder

No 296, Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin from DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research

Abstract: Open source software (OSS) is a public good. A self-interested individual would consider providing such software, if the benefits he gained from having it justified the cost of programming. Nevertheless each agent is tempted to free ride and wait for others to develop the software instead. This problem is modelled as a war of attrition with complete information, job signaling, repeated contribution to the public good and uncertainty in programming. The resulting game does not feature any delay: software will be provided swiftly, by young, low-cost individuals who gain considerably by signaling their programming skills; the startup (and collapse) of an OSS project displays bandwagon dynamics.

Keywords: open source software; war of attrition; public goods (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: H41 L31 L86 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 22 p.
Date: 2002
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Bug-fixing and code-writing: The private provision of open source software (2005)
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