Waiting for F/OSS: Coordinating the Production of Free/Open Source Software

Markku Stenborg

1/01/2005
(Original Publish Date: 8/7/2004)

Costs of waiting for Free/Open Source Software (F/OSS) program to be released are borne by all agents until enough modules have been produced. Trade-off between producing a F/OSS module and free-riding is analyzed as a game of war of attrition, in which modules to be developed and potential developers are heterogeneous. It may be optimal to volunteer for high-profile module that creates reputation and signals programming ability. It may be optimal to volunteer strategically for low-profile module even if high-profile module is available to speed up development process and reduce costs of waiting. Even if waiting brings the opportunity to free ride, there may be a rush to develop high-profile module at the first opportunity. The model provides an explanation for how large-scale F/OSS projects can be coordinated without markets and prices nor hierarchies such as firms.