Why develop open-source software? The role of non-pecuniary benefits, monetary rewards, and open-source licence type

Robert Sauer

No 6, Working Papers from Jerusalem Institute for Market Studies (JIMS)

Abstract: A review of the basic theory of optimal open-source software contributions points to three key factors affecting the decision to contribute to the open-source development process: nonpecuniary benefits, future expected monetary returns, and open-source licence type. This paper argues that existing large-scale software developer surveys are inadequate for measuring the relative importance of these three factors. Previous econometric studies that collect their own unique datasets also fall short because they generally measure the importance of only one supply factor in isolation. To fill the gap, I specify an estimable dynamic programming model of joint labour supply and open-source participation decisions that can provide empirical estimates of relative importance within a single unified framework of optimal decision-making.

Keywords: software; open source; labor supply; dynamic programming (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C61 C80 J24 J44 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 21 pages
Date: 2007-01
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Published in Oxford Review of Economic Policy, 2007, 23, 605-619

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Related works:
Journal Article: Why develop open-source software? The role of non-pecuniary benefits, monetary rewards, and open-source licence type (2007)
Working Paper: Why Develop Open Source Software? The Role of Non-Pecuniary Benefits, Monetary Rewards and Open Source Licence Type (2007)
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