‘Hybrid’ open source software virtual communities of practice – a conceptual framework

Abstract

‘Hybrid’ open source software communities are conducive to knowledge integration and innovation, and can be seen through a community of practice lens. In this paper, we develop an integrated process theory of structural attributes and social mechanisms of hybrid virtual communities. We offer a dynamic view of knowledge integration and innovation in such communities. We also emphasise the multi-faceted nature of virtual communities and identify factors that regulate participation and sustain such communities. This has implications for theorising about knowledge integration and innovation in hybrid virtual settings. Finally, virtual ethnography and multi-level research are suggested for future research.

Keywords:

• hybrid virtual community
• open source software
• Community of Practice

Acknowledgements

This article has equal co-authorship. We would like to express our gratitude to two anonymous reviewers and to Chaminda Senaratne for their valuable comments on earlier versions of this article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Meera Sarma is Lecturer in Organisational Behaviour at Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University, UK. She holds a Ph.D. from Royal Holloway, University of London. Her primary research interests are in understanding how the process of innovation unfolds and the governance mechanisms, organisational structures and change processes in software development and the innovative capabilities of such organised settings (particularly Hacker Communities), using novel research methods such as virtual ethnography. She has gathered considerable experience in the area of Hackers, Cyber Terrorism and Information Security policy development in the public sector as well as in consulting in the private sector. She is a reviewer for the journal of General Management. She has successfully received grants from Panasonic, Japan, as well as the Central Research Fund, University of London.

Thomas Matheus is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader at Newcastle Business School (NBS). Thomas holds a Ph.D. from the University of Warwick. He lectures on various modules at NBS some of which include Strategic logistics and procurement, Innovation and IT in supply chains, operations management and research methods. Furthermore, he runs the International Business Administration Programme Suite at undergraduate level. Thomas’ main research interests are in supply chain relationships, innovation, roles of interorganisational networks in technology design and diffusion, knowledge creation, diffusion and utilisation. Prior to joining NBS, Thomas worked upstream and downstream in the fashion industry. He also worked in business and IT consulting.