Open Source Software: Management, Diffusion and Competition

Abstract. The aim of this thesis is to contribute to the Open Source Software (OSS) research by a comprehending study of the factors that determine OSS diffusion, as well as the economic and social impact of this diffusion. The re-search focuses on the process of diffusion over time and assesses cause and ef-fect relationships of the phenomenon. Firstly, it identifies and assesses the fac-tors determining the diffusion and sustainability of OSS (cause). Secondly, it examines the effects of this diffusion at an economic and socio-political level (effect). At the economic level, the changes in markets structure and dynamics as a result of the OSS diffusion are analyzed. At the socio-political level, the study focuses on the effects in eGovernment and education. The study grounds its results on a number of conceptual models that are based on a theoretical background with elements from the theories of technolo-gy acceptance and diffusion of innovations (DOI), as well as from social and economic theories. The models ’ evaluation is performed with the aid of rigor-ous methodological frameworks of mathematics and econometrics. Results can be a valuable input for both research and practice. For research, they provide with more accurate, a-priori estimations of the diffusion rate and the market competition. They also provide with the assessment of technological, social, economic and institutional factors that determine the OSS technology diffusion. As a result, they can become useful tools for strategic planning and policy mak-ing, in a continuously evolving and competitive environment such as the ICT market.