Yi, Chaonan, Ma, Lei, Liu, Zheng ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7240-3501, Junlin, Zhu and Baoqing, Zhu (2025) A study of the governance of knowledge sharing in open-source communities. European Journal of Innovation Management. ISSN 1460-1060 (Online) (doi:10.1108/EJIM-08-2024-0953)

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Abstract

Purpose
Open-source communities are platforms that promote knowledge sharing. The mitigation of open-source risks is crucial to these communities. Therefore, this article explores the governance mechanisms of knowledge sharing in open-source communities.
Design/methodology/approach
To answer the core research question – “What are the governance mechanisms of knowledge sharing in open-source communities?” – we conducted an in-depth case study analysis of two open-source communities based in China.
Findings
Two types of open-source communities were found: technology-driven communities and enterprise ecosystem-oriented communities. Hence, their governance mechanisms differed. For the former type, it was important to integrate social and commercial value to encourage knowledge exchange and enhance business scenarios through community-user experience. For the latter type, mutual collaboration and knowledge sharing could be fostered through differentiated layouts and the distributed collaboration of developers around data-driven innovation scenarios. This required the integration of individual and ecosystem value through value exchange.
Originality/value
This study advances our understanding of the coordinated development between founding firms and digital technology-based open-source communities. The findings offer important guidance to business practitioners seeking to manage knowledge-sharing activities during digital transformations.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	knowledge sharing, open source, open-source community, community governance
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) L Education > L Education (General) Z Bibliography. Library Science. Information Resources > ZA Information resources
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Greenwich Business School Greenwich Business School > Networks and Urban Systems Centre (NUSC) Greenwich Business School > School of Business, Operations and Strategy
Last Modified:	07 Mar 2025 14:06
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/49982

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