Von Hippel and Von Krogh (2003)

Source Details

Von Hippel and Von Krogh (2003)
Title:	Open source software and the “private-collective” innovation model: Issues for organization science.
Author(s):	Von Hippel, E., Von Krogh, G.
Year:	2003
Citation:	Von Hippel, E. and Von Krogh, G. (2003). Open source software and the “private-collective” innovation model: Issues for organization science. Organization science, 14(2), p. 209-223
Link(s):	Definitive , Open Access
Key Related Studies:	Demsetz (1967) Olson (1967) Benford (1993) von Hippel (1988) Lerner and Tirole (2002)
Discipline:	C88: Other Computer Software L17: Open Source Products and Markets L86: Information and Internet Services • Computer Software O34: Intellectual Property and Intellectual Capital
Linked by:

About the Data
Data Description:	The article describes a new model in organisation science: the “private-collective” model of innovation
Data Type:	Primary and Secondary data
Secondary Data Sources:	Literature review
Data Collection Methods:	Qualitative Collection Methods Case Study
Data Analysis Methods:	Qualitative Analysis Methods
Industry(ies):	Software publishing (including video games) Computer programming
Country(ies):	Switzerland Global
Cross Country Study?:	No
Comparative Study?:	No
Literature review?:	Yes
Government or policy study?:	No
Time Period(s) of Collection:	Not stated
Funder(s):

Abstract

"Currently, two models of innovation are prevalent in organization science. The “private investment” model assumes returns to the innovator result from private goods and efficient regimes of intellectual property protection. The “collective action” model assumes that under conditions of market failure, innovators collaborate in order to produce a public good. The phenomenon of open source software development shows that users program to solve their own as well as shared technical problems, and freely reveal their innovations without appropriating private returns from selling the software. In this paper, we propose that open source software development is an exemplar of a compound “private-collective” model of innovation that contains elements of both the private investment and the collective action models and can offer society the “best of both worlds” under many conditions. We describe a new set of research questions this model raises for scholars in organization science. We offer some details regarding the types of data available for open source projects in order to ease access for researchers who are unfamiliar with these, and also offer some advice on conducting empirical studies on open source software development processes."

Main Results of the Study

• This study presents open source software development as an example of the ‘private-collective model’ of innovation which lies between private investment and collective action models.

In the ‘private-collective’ model of innovation free revealing is not perceived as a loss of private profit for the innovator, but rather as a mean to increase net gain in private profit (e.g. increase innovation diffusion, increase an innovator’s innovation-related profits through network effects.). Those who contribute to a public good can obtain private benefits which are tied to the development of that good.

Policy Implications as Stated By Author

• The authors offer different entry point to start research on open source project and orientate researchers in an environment that might be unfamiliar to them.
• For example:

- Where to find the projects (e.g. Sourceforge.net) - Looking at the Geocrawler site to see the interactions among project members. - Creating an “intellectual genealogy” for an open source development project at the early stage of the research. - Taking into account private email, or direct communication between users as those can help study motives, incentives, community development, coordination, and technical decision-making in projects

Coverage of Study

Coverage of Fundamental Issues

Issue	Included within Study
Relationship between protection (subject matter/term/scope) and supply/economic development/growth/welfare
Relationship between creative process and protection - what motivates creators (e.g. attribution; control; remuneration; time allocation)?
Harmony of interest assumption between authors and publishers (creators and producers/investors)
Effects of protection on industry structure (e.g. oligopolies; competition; economics of superstars; business models; technology adoption)
Understanding consumption/use (e.g. determinants of unlawful behaviour; user-generated content; social media)

Coverage of Evidence Based Policies

Issue	Included within Study
Nature and Scope of exclusive rights (hyperlinking/browsing; reproduction right)
Exceptions (distinguish innovation and public policy purposes; open-ended/closed list; commercial/non-commercial distinction)
Mass digitisation/orphan works (non-use; extended collective licensing)
Licensing and Business models (collecting societies; meta data; exchanges/hubs; windowing; crossborder availability)
Fair remuneration (levies; copyright contracts)
Enforcement (quantifying infringement; criminal sanctions; intermediary liability; graduated response; litigation and court data; commercial/non-commercial distinction; education and awareness)

Datasets

Sample size:	1
Level of aggregation:	Economic model
Period of material under study:	Not stated