@conference {barcomb:2015:multiple,
	title = {A multiple case study of small free software businesses as social entrepreneurships},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the 11th International Symposium on Open Collaboration (OpenSym 2015)},
	year = {2015},
	abstract = {Free/libre and open source software are frequently described as a single community or movement. The difference between free software and open source ideology may influence founders, resulting in different types of companies being created. Specifically, the relationship between free/libre software ideology and social entrepreneurships is investigated. This paper presents seven case studies of businesses, five of which were founded by people who  identify with the free/libre software movement. The result is a theory that small businesses founded by free/libre software advocates have three characteristics of social entrepreneurships. First, social benefit is prioritized over wealth creation. Second, the business{\textquoteright}s social mission is not incidental but is furthered through its for-profit activities, rather than supported by the company{\textquoteright}s profits. Third, the company{\textquoteright}s success is defined in part by the success of its social mission Free/libre software entrepreneurs who recognize their activities as social entrepreneurships can benefit from the existing literature on the unique challenges faced by socially-oriented businesses.},
	keywords = {free software, open source software, public good, small business, social entrepreneurship, social ventures},
	url = {https://opus4.kobv.de/opus4-fau/frontdoor/index/index/docId/6334},
	attachments = {https://flosshub.org/sites/flosshub.org/files/p100-barcomb.pdf},
	author = {Barcomb, Ann}
}
@mastersthesis {barcomb:2010:sociability,
	title = {The Sociability of Free Software: A GNU Look at Free Software Identified Businesses as Social Entrepreneurships},
	year = {2010},
	school = {Maastricht University},
	type = {masters},
	abstract = {This research strives to address the gap in the literature surrounding companies which identify with the philosophical values associated with the Free Software movement, which have historically been associated with Open Source businesses. It investigates whether ethically-motivated Free Software identified companies resemble social entrepreneurships. This work also examines whether there are significant differences between the business practices of Free Software identified companies, Free Software, and Open Source enterprises in order to assess if it is appropriate to address them as a group. The study is based on seven case studies, and includes one company which is a Free Software business, but does not identify with the Free Software philosophy, as well as one company which is ethically-motivated but identifies with Open Source rather than Free Software. The results indicate that there is good reason to believe that adherence to Free Software philosophy creates socially-aware businesses, which may be social entrepreneurships. No problems were discovered with the practice of grouping together Free Software and Open Source companies in the study of business practices, provided that a broad definition of success is used.
},
	keywords = {free software, open source software, public good, small business, social entrepreneurship, social ventures},
	url = {http://barcomb.org/cgi/paper.cgi?paper=barcomb:2010:sociability},
	attachments = {https://flosshub.org/sites/flosshub.org/files/barcomb-2010-sociability.pdf},
	author = {Barcomb, Ann}
}
