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The emergence of openness in open source projects : the case of openEHR

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Curto-Millet, Daniel and Shaikh, Maha (2017) The emergence of openness in open source projects : the case of openEHR. Journal of Information Technology, 32 (4). pp. 361-379. doi:10.1057/s41265-017-0042-x ISSN 0268-3962.

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Official URL: http://doi.org/10.1057/s41265-017-0042-x

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Abstract

The meaning of openness in open source is both intrinsically unstable and dynamic, and tends to fluctuate with time and context. We draw on a very particular open-source project primarily concerned with building rigorous clinical concepts to be used in electronic health records called openEHR. openEHR explains how openness is a concept that is purposely engaged with, and how, in this process of engagement, the very meaning of open matures and evolves within the project. Drawing on rich longitudinal data related to openEHR we theorise the evolving nature of openness and how this idea emerges through two intertwined processes of maturation and metamorphosis. While metamorphosis allows us to trace and interrogate the mutational evolution in openness, maturation analyses the small, careful changes crafted to build a very particular understanding of openness. Metamorphosis is less managed and controlled, whereas maturation is representative of highly precise work carried out in controlled form. Both processes work together in open-source projects and reinforce each other. Our study reveals that openness emerges and evolves in open-source projects where it can be understood to mean rigour; ability to participate; open implementation; and an open process. Our work contributes to a deepening in the theorisation of what it means to be an open-source project. The multiple and co-existing meanings of โ€˜openโ€™ imply that open-source projects evolve in nonlinear ways where each critical meaning of openness causes a reflective questioning by the community of its continued status and existence.

Item Type: Journal Article
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor
R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Divisions: Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Law
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): Project management, Medical records -- Data processing
Journal or Publication Title: Journal of Information Technology
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Ltd.
ISSN: 0268-3962
Official Date: December 2017
Dates:
DateEvent
December 2017Published
20 June 2017Available
8 April 2017Accepted
Volume: 32
Number: 4
Number of Pages: 19
Page Range: pp. 361-379
DOI: 10.1057/s41265-017-0042-x
Status: Peer Reviewed
Publication Status: Published
Access rights to Published version: Restricted or Subscription Access
Date of first compliant deposit: 26 April 2017
Date of first compliant Open Access: 20 June 2018

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