Abstract
Open source software (OSS) support creates major barriers to increases in its market share. Drawing on the relationship marketing theory, we develop and empirically test a model to examine the influence of OSS support on OSS market share. Using a survey data of 151 IT professionals working in the US, we find that OSS support positively influences its market share. It also indirectly influences OSS market share through OSS investment decision and need based use for OSS. The results of this study indicate that OSS support plays a central role in improving popularity of OSS. The study informs managers on developing strategies to market OSS based on support and costs.
Recommended Citation
GHOSH, KAUSHIK; Ramakrishnan, Thiagarajan; and Chawla, Sudhir, "An Investigation of the Impact of Open Source Software Support on its Market Share" (2012). AMCIS 2012 Proceedings. 2.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/amcis2012/proceedings/StrategicUseIT/2
An Investigation of the Impact of Open Source Software Support on its Market Share
Open source software (OSS) support creates major barriers to increases in its market share. Drawing on the relationship marketing theory, we develop and empirically test a model to examine the influence of OSS support on OSS market share. Using a survey data of 151 IT professionals working in the US, we find that OSS support positively influences its market share. It also indirectly influences OSS market share through OSS investment decision and need based use for OSS. The results of this study indicate that OSS support plays a central role in improving popularity of OSS. The study informs managers on developing strategies to market OSS based on support and costs.