Abstract
Free and Open source software (FOSS) produced by volunteers in self-governed projects is being used in
most digital devices and infrastructures. Firms are paying some developers to create FOSS, raising questions
about the sustainability of projects and the profits derived by non-contributing firms. This project maps the
firm-project co-production network and its representation in IT news media. It also analyses to what extent
firm discourses disseminated at trade conferences are present in volunteer projects. The research aims to
raise awareness of the role of digital commons in the economy. As automation gathers pace and job scarcity
grows, the communal and commercial sectors are destined to invent together newforms of collaboration, and
the long-term viability of innovation-rich peer projects becomes a key concern
most digital devices and infrastructures. Firms are paying some developers to create FOSS, raising questions
about the sustainability of projects and the profits derived by non-contributing firms. This project maps the
firm-project co-production network and its representation in IT news media. It also analyses to what extent
firm discourses disseminated at trade conferences are present in volunteer projects. The research aims to
raise awareness of the role of digital commons in the economy. As automation gathers pace and job scarcity
grows, the communal and commercial sectors are destined to invent together newforms of collaboration, and
the long-term viability of innovation-rich peer projects becomes a key concern
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 1-20 |
| Number of pages | 20 |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 8 Aug 2020 |
| Event | American Sociological Association Annual Meeting: Science, Knowledge, and Technology Roundtables - Life Online: Engagement, Activism, and Internet Politic - San Francisco, United States Duration: 8 Aug 2020 → 10 Aug 2020 |
Conference
| Conference | American Sociological Association Annual Meeting |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | ASA2 |
| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | San Francisco |
| Period | 8/08/20 → 10/08/20 |