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Motivations for Open Source Project Entrance and Continued Participation

Aknouche, Lamine LU and Shoan, Goran LU (2013) INFM03 20131
Department of Informatics
Abstract
A great number of studies have explored the motivations that drive software
developers to devote their time and efforts to contribute to Open Source Software
Development (OSSD) projects. Previous studies have stated that both intrinsic and
extrinsic motivations are important, however there have been different opinions
regarding their relative value. This study further researches OSSD motivations and
examines (1) what types of motivations that attract software developers to OSSD
projects, (2) what types of motivations that encourage software developers to
continue participating in OSSD projects, and (3) how these types of motivations
relate to each other in terms of whether some motivations encourage software
developers to join and... (More)
A great number of studies have explored the motivations that drive software
developers to devote their time and efforts to contribute to Open Source Software
Development (OSSD) projects. Previous studies have stated that both intrinsic and
extrinsic motivations are important, however there have been different opinions
regarding their relative value. This study further researches OSSD motivations and
examines (1) what types of motivations that attract software developers to OSSD
projects, (2) what types of motivations that encourage software developers to
continue participating in OSSD projects, and (3) how these types of motivations
relate to each other in terms of whether some motivations encourage software
developers to join and continue to participate in OSSD projects to a higher extent
than others, and if the motivations can coexist or crowd out each other. In order to
learn more about these questions a web survey measuring different types of
motivations (intrinsic, extrinsic, internalized extrinsic) was distributed among
developers that contribute to the world's nine largest OSSD projects. Results clearly
present similar patterns indicating that OSS developers are highly intrinsically
motivated, less internalized extrinsically motivated, and even lesser extrinsically
motivated to join as well as to continue participating in OSSD projects. This provides
new insights regarding how to treat motivations throughout all phases of OSSD
projects. The similarities further strengthen the perception that intrinsic motivations
should be prioritized, and thus, since OSS developers are intrinsic by nature, it is
important to fulfill developers' intrinsic needs during all phases in OSSD projects.
Finally, it can be stated that different types of motivations cannot coexist, intrinsic
motivations appear to crowd out extrinsic motivations. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Aknouche, Lamine LU and Shoan, Goran LU
supervisor
organization
course
INFM03 20131
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
keywords
open source, software developers, self-determination, intrinsic motivation, internalized extrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation
report number
INF13-018
language
English
id
3814472
date added to LUP
2013-06-26 15:28:59
date last changed
2013-06-26 15:28:59
@misc{3814472,
  abstract     = {{A great number of studies have explored the motivations that drive software
developers to devote their time and efforts to contribute to Open Source Software
Development (OSSD) projects. Previous studies have stated that both intrinsic and
extrinsic motivations are important, however there have been different opinions
regarding their relative value. This study further researches OSSD motivations and
examines (1) what types of motivations that attract software developers to OSSD
projects, (2) what types of motivations that encourage software developers to
continue participating in OSSD projects, and (3) how these types of motivations
relate to each other in terms of whether some motivations encourage software
developers to join and continue to participate in OSSD projects to a higher extent
than others, and if the motivations can coexist or crowd out each other. In order to
learn more about these questions a web survey measuring different types of
motivations (intrinsic, extrinsic, internalized extrinsic) was distributed among
developers that contribute to the world's nine largest OSSD projects. Results clearly
present similar patterns indicating that OSS developers are highly intrinsically
motivated, less internalized extrinsically motivated, and even lesser extrinsically
motivated to join as well as to continue participating in OSSD projects. This provides
new insights regarding how to treat motivations throughout all phases of OSSD
projects. The similarities further strengthen the perception that intrinsic motivations
should be prioritized, and thus, since OSS developers are intrinsic by nature, it is
important to fulfill developers' intrinsic needs during all phases in OSSD projects.
Finally, it can be stated that different types of motivations cannot coexist, intrinsic
motivations appear to crowd out extrinsic motivations.}},
  author       = {{Aknouche, Lamine and Shoan, Goran}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Motivations for Open Source Project Entrance and Continued Participation}},
  year         = {{2013}},
}