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Author: | Hemetsberger, A. Reinhardt, C. |
Title: | Collective development in open-source communities: an activity theoretical perspective on successful online collaboration |
Journal: | Organization Studies
2009 : VOL. 30:9, p. 987-1008 |
Index terms: | culture empirical research technology work environment sociology |
Language: | eng |
Abstract: | Online collaboration is usually organized without strong predetermined rules or central authority. Thus, coordination and ways of organizing cooperation become key elements of collaboration. This article examines how online projects can overcome problems of dispersed work, solve inherent collisions and utilize tensions in the activity system to build up collaborative artefacts and practices. Empirical evidence is based on a thorough observation of a successful open-source project the K Desktop Environment (KDE). The results show that successful collaboration is based on coattailing systems, meaning inextricably binding together individual action and collective activity through delicate design of complexes of technological, mental and cultural artefacts. |
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