Investigative Research of Relation between Utilization and Contribution of Open Source Software, Model of Crowdsourcing

Abstract

The expanded use of OSS, and the expansion of the market caused by this adoption has led to a corresponding increase in the number of businesses acting as stakeholders in the field. This paper analyzes how OSS effects Japanese IT companies’ business growth both through simple use and by deeper engagement as a stakeholder in OSS community. This is the first time that such a link between the utilization of OSS and economic growth has been explored in the context of Japan, and it can hopefully lay a foundation for further study regarding the real economic value of this approach to software.