Organizational structure that defines relationships and roles of individuals working toward a collective goal.
Published in Chapter:
Public Sector Participation in Open Communities
Andrea B. Baker (University at Albany, SUNY, USA), J. Ramon Gil-Garcia (Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas, Mexico), Donna Canestraro (University at Albany, SUNY, USA), Jim Costello (University at Albany, SUNY, USA), and Derek Werthmuller (University at Albany, SUNY, USA)
Copyright: © 2008
|Pages: 9
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-59904-857-4.ch005
Abstract
As new Internet-based products, services, and resources are developed, private companies and government agencies are exploring the use of these open standards and open source software for their daily operations. One of the main advantages of the open paradigm is interoperability and re-usability of code. Another significant advantage is data longevity, which means that the data created by these products are not constrained by future technology or vendor changes. They will be compatible with new document formats, applications, or specific pieces of software. However, there are also challenges associated with open standards and open software, particularly for public sector organizations. Issues such as technical training and support services can be a major concern for government agencies. Another issue that must be explored is associated with participating in online development communities and how this is constrained by the current legal framework and personnel practices.