Core-Periphery Communication and the Success of Free/Libre Open Source Software Projects

TitleCore-Periphery Communication and the Success of Free/Libre Open Source Software Projects
Publication TypeBook Chapter
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsCrowston, K, Shamshurin, I
Secondary AuthorsCrowston, K, Hammouda, I, Lundell, B, Robles, G, Gamalielsson, J, Lindman, J
Secondary TitleOpen Source Systems: Integrating Communities: 12th IFIP WG 2.13 International Conference, OSS 2016, Gothenburg, Sweden, May 30 - June 2, 2016, Proceedings
Pagination45–56
PublisherSpringer International Publishing
Place PublishedCham
ISBN Number978-3-319-39225-7
Abstract

We examine the relationship between communications by core and peripheral members and Free/Libre Open Source Software project success. The study uses data from 74 projects in the Apache Software Foundation Incubator. We conceptualize project success in terms of success building a community, as assessed by graduation from the Incubator. We compare successful and unsuccessful projects on volume of communication by core (committer) and peripheral community members and on use of inclusive pronouns as an indication of efforts to create intimacy among team members. An innovation of the paper is that use of inclusive pronouns is measured using natural language processing techniques. We find that core and peripheral members differ in their volume of contribution and in their use of inclusive pronouns, and that volume of communication is related to project success.

URLhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39225-7_4
DOI10.1007/978-3-319-39225-7_4
Full Text