Print Email Facebook Twitter Images of innovation in discourses of free and open source software Title Images of innovation in discourses of free and open source software Author Dafermos, G. Van Eeten, M.J.G. Faculty Technology, Policy and Management Department Multi Actor Systems Date 2014-12-01 Abstract In this study, we examine the relationship between innovation and free/open source software (FOSS) based on the views of contributors to FOSS projects, using Q methodology as a method of discourse analysis to make visible the positions held by FOSS contributors and identify the discourses encountered in the FOSS community. In specific, our analysis reveals four discourses: four ways of expressing oneself used by FOSS contributors, which, aside from certain commonalities, postulate fundamentally different conceptions of innovation. Whereas the dispersion of FOSS contributors’ subjectivity across four different discourses is indicative of the diversity and heterogeneity of the FOSS community, their commonalities, however, demarcate a common ground that all discourses share: points of agreement include the negative effect of patents on innovation, the predominant role of end users over manufacturers in the innovation process and the embrace of FOSS licenses as a key enabler of innovation. In the conclusion, we outline some implications for innovation management and policy. To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:00751b55-e390-4aba-8b77-082d4ba6ff5d ISSN 1396-0466 Source https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v19i12.4210 Source First Monday, 19 (12) 2014 Part of collection Institutional Repository Document type journal article Rights (c) 2014 This paper is licensed under a Creative Commons Public Domain License. Files PDF 314407.pdf 204.56 KB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:00751b55-e390-4aba-8b77-082d4ba6ff5d/datastream/OBJ/view