Working for Free? Motivations for Participating in Open-Source Projects

TLDR

Open‑source software, exemplified by Linux, proves viable and challenges traditional software market assumptions, while developers’ motivations are broadly categorized as internal (intrinsic motivation, altruism) or external (expected future returns, personal needs). The study aims to understand why developers participate in open‑source projects to assess the impact of open‑source software. Survey results from open‑source programmers are summarized in the study. Keywords include altruism, human capital, intrinsic motivation, motivations, open‑source software, and software development.

Abstract

Abstract The success of the Linux operating system has demonstrated the viability of open-source software, an alternative form of software development that challenges traditional assumptions about software markets. Understanding why developers participate in open-source projects is crucial for assessing the impact of open-source software. Their motivations fall into two broad categories: internal factors (e.g., intrinsic motivation, altruism) and external rewards (e.g., expected future returns, personal needs). The results of a survey administered to open-source programmers are summarized. Keywords: ALTRUISM HUMAN CAPITAL INTRINSIC MOTIVATION MOTIVATIONS OPEN-SOURCE SOFTWARE SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT