Category Archives: OpenSym 2017

Reducing Knowledge Loss in Open Source Software

Conference Contributions, Doctoral Symposium, OpenSym 2017, Proceedings

Title: Reducing Knowledge Loss in Open Source Software

Author: Mehvish Rashid: Lero, DCU

Abstract: Contributor turnover leads to knowledge loss in OSS projects. The structure of the OSS community is transient in nature, yet continual maintenance of OSS projects is required for their sustainability. Even though knowledge creation and sharing is abundant, knowledge is not evenly distributed among contributors. Only a small subset of contributors called core members make major code contributions in OSS projects. It is costly for a contributor to maintain code from other contributors on the project and to seek out assistance and information required, resulting in productivity loss. Knowledge retention mechanisms, we suggest, could be improved in OSS projects. The objective of our work is to integrate the concept of knowledge retention in OSS projects. The challenge is how to apply concepts of knowledge management in such a dynamic community with a transient workforce.

Download: This contribution is part of the OpenSym 2017 proceedings and is available as a PDF file.

A Crowdsourcing Practices Framework for Science Funding Calls / Processes

Conference Contributions, Doctoral Symposium, OpenSym 2017, Proceedings

Title: A Crowdsourcing Practices Framework for Science Funding Calls / Processes

Author: Eoin Cullina: Lero NUI Galway

Abstract: Public scientific research funding agencies (funding agencies) are charged with the task of implementing government science policy and identifying research projects worthy of funding. They play an important role in creating value for society through funding research and informing research policy. However, the work of funding agencies in recent years has been hampered by various challenges in call processes. This research proposes crowdsourcing as a potential solution for funding agencies. Information systems research has engaged with crowdsourcing and the open innovation phenomenon. Crowdsourcing has been utilised by both private organisations and governments in the seeking solutions to similar types of challenges. Despite this fact, no crowdsourcing frameworks have been adapted to address the types of challenges faced by funding agencies in call processes. This research seeks to identify challenges faced by funding agencies for the purposes adapting a crowdsourcing practices framework to address these challenges.

Download: This contribution is part of the OpenSym 2017 proceedings and is available as a PDF file.

It’s About Time: Applying Temporality to Software Development Teams

Conference Contributions, Doctoral Symposium, OpenSym 2017, Proceedings

Title: It’s About Time: Applying Temporality to Software Development Teams

Author: Mairead O’Connor:Lero NUI Galway

Abstract: Most existing software development research adopts a very simplistic, ‘clock-based’ mechanistic interpretation of time and ignores the highly complex, multi-faceted, subtle and socially embedded nature of temporality. This is a significant limitation given that software development is a highly complex, socially embedded activity. This research applies temporality theory to examine software development teams. This research contributes to research and practice by (i) identifying any gaps, misconceptions or general conceptual issues in the application of temporal concepts to software development to date, (ii) examining the complexity of temporality that exist within software development teams (iii) examining the impact that such complexity may have, and (iv) identify strategies for resolving these temporality issues in software development. To achieve the objective of this study, the comprehensive temporality framework proposed by Ancona et al., (2001) is used to understand the various components of temporality within the context of software development

Download: This contribution is part of the OpenSym 2017 proceedings and is available as a PDF file.

Peer Reviewed Government: Public Value for the People

Conference Contributions, Doctoral Symposium, OpenSym 2017, Proceedings

Title: Peer Reviewed Government: Public Value for the People

Author: Ann O’Brien:National University of Ireland Galway

Abstract: Globally government initiatives are being introduced that seek to engage citizens in a co-creation process with government agencies. For the first-time this paper blends theories from public administration and IS to explore citizens’ value perceptions of Web 2.0 platforms in eParticipation These technologies appear to have huge potential to engage citizens, yet, uncertainty remains regarding the value of these process and the value of Web 2.0 in eParticipation. Sense of community theory is introduced to eParticipation as a mediating factor to the creation of public value in eParticipation, where the outcome of the success model are public value/net benefits. The aim of this paper is the construction of a framework using a sense of community index unique to the context of eParticipation, to evaluate the success of the individual/group experience eParticipation.

Download: This contribution is part of the OpenSym 2017 proceedings and is available as a PDF file.

Individual Work Behavior in Online labor markets: Temporality and Job Satisfaction

Conference Contributions, Doctoral Symposium, OpenSym 2017, Proceedings

Title: Individual Work Behavior in Online labor markets: Temporality and Job Satisfaction

Author: Azka Umair:National University of Ireland Galway

Abstract: The digitalization of labor markets has created new patterns of work. One such example is the rise of powerful intermediaries, known as online labor markets (OLMs), such as Freelancer and Upwork. Being rapidly growing markets, OLMs have attracted the interest of many researchers in recent years. Our research aims to examine the influence of temporal personalities of workers and the impact of temporal dimensions of work on job satisfaction in OLMs. Furthermore, we identify intrinsic and extrinsic factors contributing to job satisfaction. We use person-job fit and job characteristic theory as a theoretical foundation for this research. To collect data from workers, a survey will be designed and deployed on three popular online labor markets. The results of the study will help us to understand workers’ perception of job satisfaction in such markets.

Download: This contribution is part of the OpenSym 2017 proceedings and is available as a PDF file.

The Value of Engaging with Open Source Communities

Conference Contributions, Doctoral Symposium, OpenSym 2017, Proceedings

Title: The Value of Engaging with Open Source Communities

Author: Georg J.P. Link:University of Nebraska at Omaha

Abstract: Organizational engagement with open source communities has become increasingly common. Open source is becoming a widely accepted and utilized form of innovation and product development. The fact that organizations extend their development efforts to open source communities not only demonstrates that open source meets the needs of organizations but also that it is perceived as the best solution among alternatives. In this research, I take a value perspective for understanding how organizations evaluate their engagement with open source communities. I build on signaling theory to understand how organizations perceive open source communities and make value judgments about their engagement. This research contributes to the growing evidence of how open source integrates with business strategy. Open source office managers in organizations can use the results of this research to better articulate open source engagement and open source communities benefit from the results by learning how to best attract organizational members and maintain valuable engagements with them.

Download: This contribution is part of the OpenSym 2017 proceedings and is available as a PDF file.

Crowdsourcing from the Community to Resolve Complex Service Requests

Community Contributions, Conference Contributions, Industry, OpenSym 2017, Proceedings

Title: Crowdsourcing from the Community to Resolve Complex Service Requests

Authors: Anthony O’Leary:VMWare; Paidi O’Raghallaigh:Business Information Systems,UCC; Tadhg Nagle:Cork University Business School,UCC; David Sammon:Cork University Business School,UCC

Abstract: The VMware Community may provide an opportunity to VMware to tap into the collective intelligence of its 2.4 million strong members to generate intelligent responses to complex Service Requests (SRs). Bill Joy, cofounder of Sun Microsystems, put it well when he said: “No matter who you are, most of the smartest people work for someone else..!”. The data generated from the vSlua project using an Action Design Research approach shows that the Community resolves lower complexity SR issues efficiently, but begins to struggle as the complexity increases. Almost 50% of all the SRs were answered and over 50% of the answered SRs were resolved in under 6 hours.

Download: This contribution is part of the OpenSym 2017 proceedings and is available as a PDF file.

Using Swarming to Build Complex Dashboards

Community Contributions, Conference Contributions, Industry, OpenSym 2017, Proceedings

Title: Using Swarming to Build Complex Dashboards

Authors: Noelle Twomey:Dell; Paidi O’Raghallaigh:Business Information Systems,UCC;
Tadhg Nagle:Cork University Business School,UCC; David Sammon:Cork University Business School,UCC

Abstract: This paper reports on a project that took place in a large corporation to build a Customer Profile dashboard to provide a holistic view of its customers. Prior to the project, no such view existed and customer data was distributed across multiple sources and very few people had access to all required sources. In the absence of any co-located team with the required skillsets, the action researcher led a swarming approach to building the dashboard. She found no evidence in the literature of swarming being used for the creation of such digital artefacts. Based on her experience with this project, in this paper she offers insights as to how she undertook the project, the lessons learned, and the benefits (as well as difficulties) in undertaking this project. She found swarming to be a useful mechanism for resolving complex problems. It attacks the problems from diverse and expert perspectives offered by highly motivated team members. In this project, swarming produced a high quality digital solution that stakeholders felt was of superior quality to what otherwise would have resulted.

Download: This contribution is part of the OpenSym 2017 proceedings and is available as a PDF file.

Impacts of Openness on the Success of Information System Development Research Projects

Community Contributions, Conference Contributions, Industry, OpenSym 2017, Proceedings

Title: Impacts of Openness on the Success of Information System Development Research Projects

Authors: Stephen McCarthy:Cork University Business School,UCC; Paidi O’Raghallaigh:INFANT Research Centre,UCC; Ciara Fitzgerald:Cork University Business School,UCC; Frederic Adam:Cork University Business School,UCC

Abstract: Information Systems Development (ISD) research projects are those in which the conduction of research is not possible without the development of a tangible ICT solution. ISD research projects face inherent tensions between the need for exploration (i.e. radical innovation) and exploitation (i.e. incremental innovation). This requires varying degrees of openness to balance the exploration of new opportunities and exploitation of existing capabilities. In this paper, we investigate the management of openness in ISD research projects and their impact on project success. Findings from three ISD research projects are outlined which offer contrasting approaches to the management of openness. Each management approach is then evaluated according to the perspectives of success in the balance scorecard for projects i.e. Financial, Customer, Internal Business, and Learning and Innovation. Finally, key learnings from the projects are presented, as well as concluding remarks on success in ISD research projects.

Download: This contribution is part of the OpenSym 2017 proceedings and is available as a PDF file.

Scenario Based Prototyping – When Open Source meets the Video Star

Community Contributions, Conference Contributions, Industry, OpenSym 2017, Proceedings

Title: Scenario Based Prototyping – When Open Source meets the Video Star

Authors: Paidi O’Raghallaigh:INFANT Research Centre, UCC; Frederic Adam; Cork University Business School, UCC

Abstract: Prototyping is crucial to the success of Information Systems Development (ISD) projects, especially those of a more equivocal nature. Prototyping efforts face inherent tensions between the need for producing high-fidelity complex prototypes and producing them quickly and at low cost. This paper describes how a number of ISD teams focused on stitching together relatively low-cost high-fidelity prototypes through the loose assembly of pre-existing open source software (OSS) components. Video recordings were captured of the role playing use of these prototypes by realistic persona in realistic scenarios. These videos were replayed to stakeholders in order to provoke a response and to capture their rich insights. We use the acronym OSP to represent this method of Open Source Scenario-Based Prototyping. Based on observations of the activities of these teams, the paper is in a position to describe a high level method for producing OSPs.

Download: This contribution is part of the OpenSym 2017 proceedings and is available as a PDF file.