The Ontology of the OSS Business Model: An Exploratory Study

The Ontology of the OSS Business Model: An Exploratory Study

Spyridoula Lakka, Teta Stamati, Christos Michalakelis, Dracoulis Martakos
Copyright: © 2011 |Pages: 21
DOI: 10.4018/jossp.2011010103
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Abstract

This study focuses on theory building providing a holistic conceptual framework that consists of an ontology based OSS business model and an OSS business model taxonomy. The study extends existing theory in OSS business models and corresponding taxonomies, based on the structured-case methodological approach. An exploratory study is conducted in two research cycles, for the identification, validation, and evaluation of the critical constructs of an OSS business model. Results reveal that OSS business models differ from traditional software business models, having specific features that affect the software value chain, the infrastructure, and the revenue model of an OSS oriented firm.
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Theoretical Background And Method Description

The research focused on the key issues and challenges that affect a holistic OSS framework. In the spirit of the interpretivist school (Hussey et al., 1997; Lee et al., 2003; Myers, 1997; Orlikowksi et al., 1991; Remenyi, 1998; Walsham, 1995), the approach throughout the study was to understand existing OSS models and build a new theory, rather than to test established theories. This was achieved by studying a number of existing theories and OSS perspectives as different theoretical lenses through which a complex phenomenon might be viewed.

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