The past several years have seen an explosion of interest in open source software. This process entails software developers at many different locations and organizations share their codes to develop and refine software programs. Interest in this process has been spurred by the rapid diffusion of the open source software, the major capital investment made into open source projects, and its new distinctive organizational form. The rapid rise of open source projects is interesting not only in its own right, but because it poses a number of economic puzzles. Why do programmers freely contribute their rime to the creation of a public good? Which types of projects are most suited to being developed in an open source environment? How do leaders of open source projects overcome challenges, such as the inclination of contributors whose suggestions are rejected to "fork", or begin a competing project, and insure the success of their efforts? How do specific licenses chosen by open source projects leaders affect the evolution of the projects? How do the efforts of commercial companies strengthen open source projects, and what dangers do they pose? This research will examine the economic puzzles posed by open source software, employing a variety of methodologies, including theoretical analyses, large-sample studies, and clinical research.
The project's strategy is two-fold: to examine the open source phenomena in depth, and to understand how the same issues are addressed in similar economic institutions. Many of the issues posed by open source are not new. Open source can be sees as at the end of a spectrum of technology sharing institutions, including patent pools an standard setting organizations, which must address similar conflicts. These similar institutions provide another perspective from which to observe and understand the issues with which open source projects are struggling. In particular, this research will focus on two projects, one examining the nature of the contributors to open source projects, and the other examining similar issues in the context of standard-setting organizations.
