Location
Hilton Waikoloa Village, Hawaii
Event Website
https://hicss.hawaii.edu/
Start Date
7-1-2025 12:00 AM
End Date
10-1-2025 12:00 AM
Description
The successful operation of a blockchain system crucially relies on its management of software development activities. Not only does the technological functionality of a public blockchain system depend on the quality of its source code, but also the “neutrality” of a blockchain system depends on access to and control over its source code. In this paper, we delve into the dynamic evolution of collaboration within the open-source developer community of blockchain projects. Utilizing empirical analysis techniques, we demonstrate the tendency of initially decentralized open-source communities to gravitate toward more centralized and unevenly distributed structures. Additionally, our analysis reveals that inputs to the blockchain’s software code are concentrated among a small group of contributors. Our findings have implications for the managers of decentralized open-source technology and policymakers who aim to preserve impartial access to technology.
Recommended Citation
Petryk, Mariia and Li, Jiasun, "(De)Centralization in Blockchain Open-Source Development Community" (2025). Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences 2025 (HICSS-58). 3.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/hicss-58/in/web3_technologies/3
(De)Centralization in Blockchain Open-Source Development Community
Hilton Waikoloa Village, Hawaii
The successful operation of a blockchain system crucially relies on its management of software development activities. Not only does the technological functionality of a public blockchain system depend on the quality of its source code, but also the “neutrality” of a blockchain system depends on access to and control over its source code. In this paper, we delve into the dynamic evolution of collaboration within the open-source developer community of blockchain projects. Utilizing empirical analysis techniques, we demonstrate the tendency of initially decentralized open-source communities to gravitate toward more centralized and unevenly distributed structures. Additionally, our analysis reveals that inputs to the blockchain’s software code are concentrated among a small group of contributors. Our findings have implications for the managers of decentralized open-source technology and policymakers who aim to preserve impartial access to technology.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/hicss-58/in/web3_technologies/3