Impact of User Skills and Network Effects on the Competition between Open Source and Proprietary Software

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lihui Lin
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Network Effects ◽  
Proprietary Software ◽  
User Skills

scholarly journals Factors influencing the adoption of free and open-source software for electronic records management by municipalities in Gauteng Province, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 43-54
Author(s):  
Mahlatse Shekgola ◽  
Jan Maluleka ◽  
Antonio Rodrigues
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Open Source ◽  
South African ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Electronic Records ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Records Management ◽  
The South ◽  
Proprietary Software ◽  
Electronic Records Management

The South African cabinet adopted policy recommendations from the Government Information Technology Officer's Council pertaining to Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS). Even though the South African Cabinet has shown support for the use of FOSS through the enactment of a policy, the adoption of open source software in electronic records management seems to be slow. Proprietary software continues to be adopted and used by most public institutions, including local and provincial municipalities in South Africa. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate factors that may influence the adoption and use of FOSS for electronic records management by South African municipalities. The study adopted a qualitative research approach to collect data from 10 purposively selected municipalities in Gauteng. Data were analysed and presented thematically to address the research question. The findings of this study suggest that municipalities in Gauteng are not adopting FOSS for electronic records management as expected. This study established that top management support, reliability, affordability of the software, inadequate capability, contracts with proprietary software providers, organisational culture and organisational support are some of the factors that contributed to the low uptake when it comes to the adoption of Free and Open-Source Software by the municipalities.

Methodology and Software Components for E-business Development and Implementation

2013 ◽  
pp. 269-298
Author(s):  
Neven Vrcek ◽  
Ivan Magdalenic
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Network Effects ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Module Structure ◽  
Service Oriented Architectures ◽  
Service Oriented ◽  
Public Sectors ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Many benefits from implementation of e-business solutions are related to network effects which means that there are many interconnected parties utilizing the same or compatible technologies. The large-scale adoption of e-business practices in public sectors and in small and medium enterprises (SMEs)-prevailing economic environments will be successful if appropriate support in the form of education, adequate legislative, directions, and open source applications is provided. This case study describes the adoption of e-business in public sectors and SMEs by using an integrated open source approach called e-modules. E-module is a model which has process properties, data properties, and requirements on technology. Therefore e-module presents a holistic framework for deployment of e-business solutions and such e-module structure mandates an approach which requires reengineering of business processes and adoption of strong standardization that solves interoperability issues. E-module is based on principles of service-oriented architectures with guidelines for introduction into business processes and integration with ERP systems. Such an open source approach enables the spreading of compatible software solutions across any given country, thus, increasing e-business adoption. This paper presents a methodology for defining and building e-modules.

Open Source Software Adaptation in Africa

2017 ◽  
pp. 1708-1722
Author(s):  
Abubakar Diwani Bakar ◽  
Abu Bakar Md. Sultan ◽  
Hazura Zulzalil ◽  
Jamilah Din
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Global Network ◽  
African Continent ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Software Adaptation ◽  
Proprietary Software ◽  
Wide Availability ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
Software Practitioners

The African continent has long benefited from adopting OSS in its private and public organizations that have changed their way of development, the use and how to acquire proprietary software. This frequency of adaptation does not appear to be in balance with the contribution to the OSS community. Using views from experienced software practitioners working in different organizations across two African countries it has been observed that neglected infrastructure, a wide availability of proprietary software and misconceptions of a clear meaning of Open Source Software across Africa have been an obstacle towards the participation in the OSS technology in the global network.

An Open Source Primer

2011 ◽  
pp. 278-298
Author(s):  
Brian Still
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Future Trends ◽  
Intended Audience ◽  
Proprietary Software ◽  
Introductory Overview ◽  
Professional Environment ◽  
Technical Communicators ◽  
History Of

This chapter serves as an introductory overview of Open Source Software (OSS) and the Open Source movement. It is geared primarily for technical communicators. To provide a thorough overview, this chapter defines OSS, explains how OSS works in comparison to proprietary software, looks at the history of OSS, and examines OSS licensing types, applications in business, and overall strengths and weaknesses when compared to proprietary software. Lastly, it evaluates the practical potential of OSS as well as emerging and future trends relating to it. From this general but thorough overview the intended audience of technical communicators will gain the solid understanding needed to work successfully in an academic or professional environment where OSS continues to grow in popularity, spurring more organizations to rely on it or the Open Source ideas that have inspired and continue to drive its creation and growth.

OpenLaszlo

2011 ◽  
pp. 157-170
Author(s):  
Chris Moya
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
Rich Internet Application ◽  
Proprietary Software ◽  
Web Environment ◽  
Device Applications ◽  
Internet Application ◽  
High Level ◽  
Back Office

Programming a rich Internet application (RIA) in any Web environment is the goal of Laszlo Systems. The open source software, OpenLaszlo Presentation Server, allows a user to run, on any device, applications that blend to perfection a user-centered design. It facilitates development from the basic levels such as creating forms, menus and other components for a website, up to high-level tasks like focusing on the attention of the user, to easily create, for example, an e-commerce website, a full management back office or a trip booking site, all this using animations comparable to those created with proprietary software.

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