Open Source Software User Communities: A Study of Participation in Linux User Groups

• Published in: Management science Vol. 52; no. 7; pp. 1099 - 1115
• Main Authors: Bagozzi, Richard P, Dholakia, Utpal M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Linthicum INFORMS 01.07.2006; Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences
• Series: Management Science
• Subjects: Analysis; anticipated emotions; Anticipation; Behavior modeling; Behavioural sciences; Business studies; Communities; Community; Computer software; Consciousness; Consumer behavior; Donations; Emotions; Influence; Linux; Management science; model of goal-directed behavior; novice versus experienced users; Open source software; Participation; Public domain; Public software; Services; Social identity; Social influence; Social interaction; Studies; Success; User groups; User training; virtual communities; we-intentions; United States
• ISSN: 0025-1909; 1526-5501
• DOI: 10.1287/mnsc.1060.0545

We conceptualize participation in Linux user groups (LUGs) in terms of group-referent intentional actions and investigate cognitive (attitudes, perceived behavioral control, identification with the open source movement), affective (positive and negative anticipated emotions), and social (social identity) determinants of participation and its consequences on Linux-related behaviors of users. This survey-based study, conducted with 402 active LUG members representing 191 different LUGs from 23 countries and employing structural equation modeling methodology, supports the proposed model. Furthermore, we find that the Linux user’s experience level moderates the extent of the LUG’s social influence and its impact on the user’s participation. We conclude with a consideration of the managerial and research implications of the study’s findings.